Pollard Syndrum 178 demonstration, electronic drum, analog synth

Published on Jan 12, 2016 Carl Wiedemann

"A demonstration of some of the sound capabilities of the Pollard Syndrum 178 electronic drum module, analog synthesizer. This also presents some of the slider and switch issues with this particular unit. The full array of sounds are accessible, but some of the sliders and switches are a bit glitchy. These were manufactured by Pollard in the late '70s. I'm selling this particular unit on Ebay (January 2016). These units were used by many pop/rock musicians in the early '80s. The Cars drummer David Robinson had two Syndrum Quads and eight Syndrum pads can be seen (along with the self-contained Synare pads) in his drum array in videos of live performances."

Classic Pac-Man at 4:18.

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"Vintage Pollard Syndrum (circa 1978) analog synthesizer, electronic drum module with original pad and (non-original) 22 volt power supply. The unit is generating the full array of sounds (as compared to the two others that I have). The switch for the snare (noise generator) is a bit ornery and it sometimes takes several tries to turn it on or off. The sustain slider for the noise generator is not adjustable (it generates one short burst). This seems to be an issue with these units (I have another Syndrum with the same slider issue and another that won’t generate sound in the #1 position). The sustain slider seems a bit ornery in the low position and it’s difficult to adjust shorter duration sounds. Also: the tune switch audibly crackles when positions are changed. That being said: it is generating the full array of expected sounds. Given the slider issues it may be best used for sampling and recording rather than live performance. The module can be triggered with most drum pads or other external sound device via a quarter inch audio cable. There is quite a bit of cosmetic distress on the exterior of the module, including spots of rust. Most of the slider caps are missing. I’ve posted a video on YouTube which demonstrates the great array of sounds this unit can generate as well as presenting some of the slider and switch issues."

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Pollard Syndrum 178 Analog Drum Synthesizer With Original Trigger Pad SN 1977

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"Pollard Syndrum 178 Analog Drum Synthesizer With Syndrum Trigger in very good condition. This includes the console, original trigger pad, with the original mesh head and the power supply, which has been repaired (see pic). The unit was tested and appears to be in good working order!

Some of the plastic slider caps are missing, but the sliders appear to work fine. There are some minor surface scratches."

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Pollard Syndrum Model 178 Analog Drum Synth, Drum Pad, and CV Pedal

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This is the one featured in the demos posted here.

"The "Snare 1" preset setting in the "Snare" section does not seem to work. This is not a problem as you can create the same "Snare 1" preset sound with a low Snare "Sustain" setting. The "Snare 1" setting is a preset short sustain, whereas the "Snare 2" setting allows you to set a custom snare/noise length. Please see the YouTube links to see how the Snare section and Snare Sustain control work.

The Syndrum Model 178 is a single voice analog drum synth that is triggered by hitting the Syndrum mesh drumhead trigger. The drum synth sound/tone and modulation is adjusted manually to create different types of drum synth sounds. The Syndrum is capable of creating kick, tom, special effects, and best known for its decending “Dooooooooooo” sound (think disco toms or space drums). The Vibrato/Modulation section can be used to created vibrato effects as well as ring-modulation when the rate is set to higher values.

Here is what is included with this auction:

Syndrum Model 178 Drum Synth
8” Mesh Syndrum Drum Head Trigger
Syndrum Drum Head Trigger Key (plastic padel)
Syndrum CV & On/Off Footswitch
22VDC Power Adapter (included)
1/4" Output Cable
1/4" CV Footswitch Cable"

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Pollard Syndrum 178 SN 1302 w/ Extras

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"This is the original electronic drum, the Pollard Syndrum 178. It's like the "Altair" of electronic drums in that it started the edrum phenomenon. For collectors, this is as rare as it gets. For music makers, this makes the analog sounds you can only get from the original. The large pedal changes the pitch or range, and the small pedal stops the tone or vibrato. The sound is based on sine, square, or triangle wave shapes. I purchased this in 1978 and played it in clubs during the era. Cosmetically, it is poor, but it works perfectly (including both snare settings), and it includes the pad (new backing behind a perfect head), the pedal, the head removal tool, a stereo 1/4" cable for the pedal, a mono 1/4" cable for the pad. The output is unbalanced 1/4", so you can use any guitar cable. The power supply is not original, but the one I have included is vastly superior and works perfectly (any DC supply between 18V and 25V works). As shown in the photos, there are no fader caps, and three faders stems are broken at the ends, but they are still functional. One side has a piece of the wood chipped off. These are extremely rare, typically sell for much more if they work. At the present, I can find no other complete and functional unit available anywhere."

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Pollard Syndrum 178 Demo

video upload by akestromer

Additonal Pollard Syndrum 178 posts

https://reverb.com/shop/stromer-mutroniks

Vintage Pollard Syndrum 178 RARE Analog Drum Synth Synthesizer SN 1900

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Pollard Syndrum Model 178 Drum Pad Foot Pedal Synth

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"Pollard Syndrum model 178 comes with extra wires foot pedal drum pad and synth. all items are in very good working order please note last picture drum pad show a small hair line crack drum .This is a vintage lot and you will receive everything in picture overall a great collectors item at a great price."

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Vintage Drum Synth Demos by You Are The Robots

video uploads by You Are The Robots

Arturia Keystep Pro was used to sequence those w/o built in rhythm sections. Use the player controls to skip around.

Playlist:
Sears Rhythm-Matic vintage analog drum machine with built-in speaker
SYNSONICS ELECTRONIC DRUM MODEL 5300 - A Very Rare Vintage Analog Drum Synthesizer | DEMO
POLLARD SYNDRUM 178 Vintage Analog Drum Synth Triggered By Arturia Beatstep Pro | DEMO
BOSS DR. PAD DRP-1 - Vintage Digital Drum Pad | DEMO
ROLAND CR-68 COMPURHYTHM - Vintage Analog Drum Machine | DEMO
ACE TONE RHYTHM ACE FR-1 - Vintage Analog Drum Machine | DEMO
NOMAD RHYTM MAKER 12 - Vintage Analog Drum Machine | DEMO
Vintage Analog WHIPPANY ELECTRONICS RHYTHM MASTER RM -10 Drum Machine W/ DIY Mods | DEMO
KEIO DONCA MATIC KORG MINI POPS 5 - Vintage Analog Drum Machine | DEMO
WURLITZER SWINGIN’ RHYTHM 5020 Vintage Analog Drum Machine | DEMO
WELSON SUPER-MATIC S12 Vintage Analog Italian Drum Machine 1971 | Demo
Mattel Synsonics Drums - Vintage Drum Machine
Univox SR-95 Vintage Drum Machine
Nomad Rhythm 12 - Vintage drum machine
Realistic Concertmate - Vintage Drum Machine / Metronome
Oberheim DXa (DX w/ factory midi) - Vintage drum machine
Roland CR 5000 - vintage analog drum machine
Modified Roland TR 606 - Vintage analog drum machine
Tama Techstar TAM500 - Analog Drum Synth
Rhythm Ace FR-2L With Issues - Vintage Drum Machine
Univox SR 55 - Vintage Analog Drum Machine
Whippany Rhythm Master - Vintage Analog Drum Machine
Sears Rhythm Matic R1000 - Vintage Analog Drum Machine
Simmons Digital Clap Trap - Vintage Clap Machine
Mattel Synsonics Pro - Analog Drum Machine
Univox MR8 Micro Rhythmer - Vintage Analog Drum Machine
MTI Auto-Orchestra Analog Drum Machine Bass & Strings Machine
Wurlitzer Swingin' Rhythm Analog Drum Machine
Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-3 - Vintage Analog Drum Machine For Sale On Ebay

Pollard Syndrum 178 Analog Drum Synthesizer With Trigger

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Rare Pollard Syndrum Model 178 Analog Drum Synthesizer SN 1900

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POLLARD SYNDRUM MODEL 178 X2 SN 1187 & 1186

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Pollard Syndrum Twin - Vintage Analog Drum Synthesizer model 178 serial no 2176

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Rare Pollard Syndrum Model 178 Analog Drum Synthesizer SN 1325

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