Vintage Synth Brochures Including The Syntar

via this auction

- TEXTURE software by Roger Powell (Utopia)
- 3) OBERHEIM MATRIX-1000 flyers - color - small smudge
- SYNTAR series I 'KEYTAR brochure & price list (George Mattson)
- FREEDOM I - Poly Keyboard Interface Controller (rare)
- STUDIO ELECTRONICS 'SE-1' MIDIMOOG flyer
- STRIDER SYSTEMS 'DCS II' pioneering digital synthesizer brochure & price list
- SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS 'PROPHET T8' analog synth 6 page color brochure!!
(small split on last page seam - not torn)
- SIEL 'DK 80' hybrid synth 8 page color brochure
- SIEL Expander 80/DK600/EXPANDER/PX JR/MIDI INTERFACE

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The Plugin Guru Visits Mattson Studio

Two pics of George Mattson's studio by John Lhmkuhl of pluginguru.com.

via John Lhmkuhl on Facebook:

"That silver modular is over 30 years in the making! To the right, are 'downsized' versions of the Goliath silver modular in Euro Rack and his own Mattson Mini Modular format. What a treat to watch George fire all these modules up!"

"George got into the synthesizer world when he invented the syntar 34 years ago YESTERDAY - I'm holding (and playing) the very FIRST Syntar that George created. I was also given an introduction to many of the cool modules that George has created including a really powerful sequencer (in the background behind my Left Hand is a whole bunch of Mattson Mini Modular modules, all making beautiful music!) The Analog synthesizer world is very much alive in the Pacific Northwest!"

Check out George Mattson's creations at http://mattsonminimodular.com/. You can find additional posts on the massive EML via the Mattson EML label below.

34 Years of Syntar

via Juliana Jaeger on Facebook

Today marks the 34 year anniversary of the Performance Music Systems Syntar. It was the first "keytar" with a built in synthesizer.  Before it, keytars were merely controllers for external synths. The prototype was shown by it's creator George Mattson at the 1979 Atlanta NAMM show.

George Mattson currently makes modulars as Mattson Mini Modular.  His latest creation is the Mattson SQ816 Sequencer with Scott Rise of Division-6.  I've seen the sequencer in action and it works great.  It is close to being released.  You can catch a video of it here. 

You can read up on the Syntar at Carbon111's Syntar page here, as well as my email exchange with George Mattson here.  And of course see the Syntar label below for numerous posts that have gone up on the site including video performances. On a side note, you can find Syntar swag at Cafe Press here.

Below is a scan from the Idahonian newspaper from Moscow Idaho (photo credit: Randy Klisek) Oct. 03 1978.  Pictured is George Mattson to the right and his brother Gregg Mattson in their studio also in Moscow, Idaho.  The interesting thing about this photograph is that it was published the day before George came up the idea for the Syntar. The bottom pic is the same but with the caption. Further below is a recent pic of George Mattson playing the first production Syntar via Wikipedia, uploaded by clusternote on Oct 29, 2011, which would place this at the 2011 PNW SynthFest at Shoreline Community College.

George Mattson in the Early Days - 1981

via George Mattson on Facebook

"A long, long time ago in a State not-so-far away....."

EML, ARP & his Performance Music Systems Syntar.

You can find his current creations at http://www.mattsonminimodular.com/

"This was a photo shoot Michael Garrison (RIP) and I did for one of his albums. We tossed our gear together for the pic. All of the Arp stuff was his. The ARP stuff now belongs to Craig Padilla."

electro-music 2012

"The electro-music festival, known as the "Woodstock of electronic music," is the world's premiere event for experimental electronic music. Now in it's eighth year, this year's gathering features three mind-bending days of innovative electronic music concerts, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, jam sessions, video art, a laptop battle, and a swap-meet. Action starts at 1pm on Friday, September 7 and runs until midnight on September 9. Musical activities will be running continuously throughout the three days of the festival.

electro-music 2012 takes place at the Greenkill Retreat Center in Huguenot, New York. On-site lodging and meals are available. Tickets range from $35 for a single day to $385 for a 3-day pass including meals and lodging.

More information, including a complete schedule of events can be found on the web site at: http://event.electro-music.com/ You may also contact us at event@electro-music.com

A wide variety of instruments and musical styles will be represented, ranging from theremin to analog modular synthesizers to home made devices, from classic space music and ambient to abstract electronica, glitch, electro-pop and beat-oriented music.

The following artists will be performing:

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MMTA SUMMER SYNTHFEST 2012 - Shannon Overman Roach & George Mattson

via Shannon Overman Roach on Facebook

"This right here is the inventor of the keytar. And I'm holding the first ever keytar invented." Read about the Syntar on Carbon111's site here, and of course check out the Syntar label below.

Shannon is the Executive Director of Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences aka NARAS.


I have a couple of good shots of George and Shannon coming up in the next post. Remember you can track all of he event's posts via the MMTA SYNTHFEST 2012 label.

Custom EML Spotted in IDOW Pere Ubu Interview

To the far right. EML was known for doing custom work for people including for George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular and his PMS Syntar back in the day. See this post for the video and update.

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.

RIP Richard Lainhart & Mel Morley (midimel)

Duet in C - YouTube Uploaded by azimuthvisuals on May 20, 2010

"Music by Mel Morley and Richard Lainhart. Recorded at Pocono Skies electro-music festival, May 15, 2010. This improvised piece is part of a larger collaboration including Howard Moscovitz, Jeannie Allen, and Charles Shriner. Mel Morley plays keyboards and software synthesizers. Richard Lainhart plays Haken Continuum and Buchla modular synthesizer. Camera by Greg Waltzer and visuals by Hong Waltzer of Azimuth Visuals."

It is with tremendously sad news that I post the passing of both Richard Lainhart & Mel Morley this holiday season. My condolences go out to their families.

I recently met Richard Lainhart and his lovely wife in Bellingham for the Electronic Arts Festival. You can find a slideshow and video of his lecture with a performance of Oraisen on the Haken Continuum and Buchla 200e here. I believe my first post on Richard went up back in 2007. His work has been featured numerous times on the site. Just do a search on Lainhart on the right search box.  Google brings up 8900 results, but I'm guessing some are repeats.  Regardless, his presence on the site was massive.

Richard had a passion for not only music but for teaching as well. Many of his performances such as that at the Bellingham Electronic Arts Festival was a combination of performance and lecture. I only briefly communicated with him at Bellingham and via email, but felt akin to him.  He said he loved performing and travelling.  He was always grateful for his coverage on the site and once told me a story about how he ended up on a trip to Italy because of a post here on MATRIXSYNTH.  It was one of the biggest compliments I ever received on the site.  I will never forget that and I will never forget him.  Rest in peace Richard, you were one cool cat.  See his Facebook Page for messages. You can find his website at http://www.otownmedia.com/. Update: you can find a recent performance of Richard in New York on CatSynth here. I'm not sure if this was his last. via CatSynth in the comments below: "What a sad day! I knew Richard Lainhart from performing in New York over the past couple of years. It was only a couple of days ago that I posted the show we did where we did an improvised score to his film "History of the Future." His music and films were beautiful and he was a great person, and will be missed. :("

Update: I went up to Bellingham for the afternoon. It was a planned trip, but having briefly met Richard and his wife Caroline there gave it special meaning this time. A bit more reflective on the life of those I thought I'd eventually get to know better. In the Fairhaven district there is a little garden shop with artisan products. There is an outside section with a little rock gravel path that you can walk through. At one point in the walk something captured my attention. It took me a second and I realized it was a bunch of birds chirping away as if having a massive conversation. It made me think of Richard. On Twitter and Facebook he used to post about listening to birds outside his home. It always reminded me to slow down a little and just take the time to listen to the birds.    

Update: via I Dream of Wires: Extended Interview Series: Richard Lainhart

Richard Lainhart: IDOW Extended Interview #1 from I Dream Of Wires on Vimeo.

Mel Morley aka midimel was well known to many in the electronic music scene. You can find his website here: http://midimel.com. He once played keys for Flock of Seagulls, and was one of the few owners of the Performance Music Systems Syntar. George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular and Performance Music Systems knew him well. Mel, actually dropped by the NAMM booth in the early 80s when the Syntar was shown. He dropped by George's booth and gave the Syntar a spin. According to George he was quite proficient at it and someone walking by came up to talk to him. That person ended up being the contact that led him to playing for Flock of Seagulls.  George said he is really going to miss him.  He had some great conversations with him. I have only briefly communicated with Mel myself, but he like Richard was one cool cat. I wish I could have gotten to know him better.  You can find his Facebook Page with condolences here.

PNW Synthfest 2011 Pics by v8media

flickr By v8media

Click through for more.

Unleashing the power of the Syntar!

Mackenzie with the Syntar and a cat with lazers coming out of it's eyes FTW. via The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge.


Check out Mackenzie's music here.

PNW SynthFest 2011 - George Mattson & Syntar #1

YouTube Uploaded by matrixsynth on Nov 1, 2011

George Mattson on The Syntar, serial number #1.

"I can't play keyboards" [Syntar at the SynthFest]

YouTube Uploaded by danielspils on Oct 29, 2011

"Syntar inventor George Mattson is a classically trained guitar pla[yer]"

http://mattsonminimodular.com/

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.

The Performance Music Systems Syntar II

Pics of the Syntar II prototype. This is a follow-up to my last post from my recent visit to George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular.

The Syntar II never made it past the prototype stage. The first Syntar was the first synthesizer enclosed in a keytar case. Previously only remote controllers for external synths existed. See this post from 2006 for interesting background of The Syntar including Bob Moog. Also check out The Syntar on Carbon111. See the Syntar label for more.

Key features of the Syntar II:
"It had two full ADSR's. It was polyphonic in the sense that the entire keyboard was connected to two, parallel banks of top octave dividers that could be slightly detuned for a phase roll in addition to the two VCO's. The polyphonic board worked but, I couldn't squeeze it into the case. The VCO's had a hard sync. The filter had VC resonance and a mode switch above the filter that let you go continuously either from LP-BP-HP, LP-Band reject-HP or, LP-notch-HP. It also incorporated an internal digital delay."

Unfortunately the Syntar 2 never made it beyond the prototype stage and is beyond salvation. Fortunately, a part of it will live on. According to George Mattson: "I'm going to be pulling out all of the hand-made boards and turning them into modules. It was made with Curtis CEM chips.

Those modules will be built into cabinets that will hang on the side of the sequencer. I'll put 'em to work." See this post for reference. I have some exclusive pics of the refurbishment in progress and will post them in time.

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Syntar Clock

The Syntar Clock

Available on Cafe Press here. You'll also find Ts and and iPad case!

I took these two pics on a recent visit to the workspace of Mattson Mini Modular.

A few more posts will follow featuring some of the goodies I saw there. Thank you George!

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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 "

Complete Guide to Synthesizers by Devarahi

via this auction

"The Complete Guide to Synthesizers (Paperback)
by Devarahi
isbn 9780131606302, Paperback, published April 1982 by Prentice Hall

Publisher's Note
Explains how synthesizers work, describes various models, and suggests tests that can be used to compare and evaluate different systems."

Update: note the Syntar in the bottom pic.

Sold For: US $73.67

Musikladen - Massive Classic Synth Spotting Vids

This one in via swissdoc. Videos below. There are quite a few, so if you are viewing this post on the main page, click on the "Click for more" link below.

"This is about a German TV Show from the past, called "Musikladen". Currently they repeat the whole lot, good for Synth-Spotting (and more) -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musikladen


Synth-wise they have lots of acts using Synths on the show, mostly they use their own synths on Stage, in other cases, they use the varying "resident" synths, basically a set of 2 MS-20 side by side or a 3-set from ARP (polyphonic (strings or piano), monophonic, sequencer.

Some Synth-Spotting videos:"

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