Check it out: 1980 Alpha Syntauri Computer Music System | Synth History

video upload by MR TUNA Music

"My friends, I present to you the complete 'alphaSyntauri' (Alpha Syntauri) Computer Music System circa 1980. I finally got it all set up and (mostly) functioning after buying this from a nice old lady in town. The old Apple II clone had a shot power supply so I found a new one and we're off to the races!!

This is a not-so-quick demo of some of the features I was able to coax into functioning, and a few sounds that came standard with this cool vintage computer music system."

Syntauri AlphaSyntauri 1983 - Original Brochure

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via this auction

"Original Syntauri AlphaSyntauri - Product brochure from 1983 This is pretty obscure, Strange stuff!


This brochure is in good condition, see photos for details"

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Alphasyntauri Synthesizer Interface for Apple II

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Looks new. Esoteric piece of synthesizer kit. Just cool that things like this exist for those that might need it.

"Alphasyntauri synthesizer interface card for Apple II
This is just the (hard to get) interface between the keyboard and the apple II.

For a full working Alphasyntauri you also need:
Mountain Hardware Music System (MCMS) board set (2 boards)
Alpha Plus software (at minimum)"

Audio Damage Phosphor 2 - alphaSyntauri Based iPad Synth Now Available

Now available on iTunes.

You can find two video demos of Audio Damage's Phosphor 2 just posted here.

Details follow:

"Phosphor is an unique instrument modeled on the alphaSyntauri, a vintage digital additive synth from the early 80s. The original alphaSyntauri required an Apple //e to operate, but we've gone ahead and eliminated the middle-man, and now you can have this classic digital synth in your iOS device, no 5.25" floppy drive necessary!

Featuring two additive oscillators (with the original 16 partial complement of the alphaSyntauri, or optionally with 32 or 64 partials), each with its own amp envelope, Phosphor's topology closely follows the alphaSyntauri, while adding many modern features such as full velocity control, a much more extensive modulation routing system, tempo synced LFOs, a pair of delays, and two monophonic modes. The noise and oscillators are able to work in the original alphaSyntauri "low-resolution" modes, or can be run in modern high-resolutions. Phosphor can accurately model the original sounds of the alphaSyntauri, yet still provide new paths for sonic exploration.

Features

• Two complete oscillator/envelope sections modeled on the original topology of the alphaSyntauri.

• Each set of partials can run in "lo-fi" mode, emulating the gritty digital voicing of original, or in a modern mode for alias-free sines.

• The noise can be either "lo-fi" digital shift-register noise per the original, or modern white noise.

• Two complete delay sections with LP/HP filtering and cross-feedback.

• Two tempo-syncable LFOs with multiple modulation destinations.

• A large complement of presets included that show off the extensive sound generating capabilities of Phosphor, including some famous alphaSyntauri presets directly ported from the original.

• XML preset system, with copy-to-clipboard, for sharing presets in forums and with your friends.

• AudioUnits V3 version for use in all AUv3 hosts, like AudioBus 3, AUM, BeatMaker 3, Cubasis 2, GarageBand, etc.

• Standalone version (with full single-panel UI) with Inter-App Audio and BlueTooth MIDI capability.

• iPhone version coming soon!"

Audio Damage Releases Phosphor 2 - alphaSyntauri Based Soft Synth

via Audio Damage

"The Phosphor 2 download includes 32/64-bit VST and VST3, and 64-bit AAX for Windows 8 or greater, and as a 32/64-bit AU/VST/VST3/AAX for OSX (10.8 or greater).

Coming soon for iOS standalone and AUv3.

Phosphor is an unique instrument plugin modeled on the alphaSyntauri, a vintage digital additive synth from the early 80s. The original alphaSyntauri required an Apple //e to operate, but we've gone ahead and eliminated the middle-man, and now you can have this classic digital synth in your DAW of choice.

Featuring two additive oscillators (with the original 16 partial complement of the alphaSyntauri, or optionally with 32 or 64 partials), each with its own amp envelope, Phosphor's topology closely follows the alphaSyntauri, while adding many modern features such as full velocity control, a much more extensive modulation routing system, tempo synced LFOs, a pair of delays, and two monophonic modes. The noise and oscillators are able to work in the original alphaSyntauri "low-resolution" modes, or can be run in modern high-resolutions. Phosphor can accurately model the original sounds of the alphaSyntauri, yet still provide new paths for sonic exploration.

Features

• Two complete oscillator/envelope sections modeled on the original topology of the alphaSyntauri.

• Each set of partials can run in "lo-fi" mode, emulating the gritty digital voicing of original, or in a modern mode for alias-free sines.

• The noise can be either "lo-fi" digital shift-register noise per the original, or modern white noise.

• Two complete delay sections with LP/HP filtering and cross-feedback.

• Two tempo-syncable LFOs with multiple modulation destinations.

• A large complement of presets included that show off the extensive sound generating capabilities of Phosphor, including some famous alphaSyntauri presets directly ported from the original."

Dragonborn Alphasyntauri Synthesizer

Published on Jan 3, 2016 Heimðallr Himinbjörg

"Just me playing Dragonborn on the Alphasyntauri which is a weird little synth. I do not own this song I am just playing credit goes to the copyright holder."

An Alpha Syntauri demo.

Puremagnetik alphaSynth - Alpha Syntauri Sample Set

"A library of old-school computer sounds captured from a late 1970s 8-bit Apple ][ with an Alpha Syntauri music system."

Available at Puremagnetik

This set comes from Chris Randall of Analog Industries & Audio Damage, with more to follow: "It is a heavily re-tooled and much improved version of the sample set I used to have here that I made from the alphaSyntauri. They are much, much better at that sort of thing than I, what with doing it for a living and all, and the alphaSynth set is available in several formats, including Live Rack, Kontakt, and ESX Universal.

I've made a bunch of other samples for them with various pieces of Apple ][ based kit, and you can watch out for those in the future."

AlphaSyntauri Synthesizer with Original Box & Materials

via this auction

"AlphaSyntauri Synthesizer Keyboard with Mountain card and keyboard interface card... Item was aquired as surplus from a University. "

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alphaSyntauri Demo 1

alphaSyntauri Demo 1 by RossT
"Improvisation on an alphaSyntauri Apple }{ system. Recorded and edited in Logic. The preset on the alphaSyntauri was stereo, processed through two digital delays and the channels were separated in the editing process. The deep bass/kick sound is from a soft-synth in logic."

Phosphor Overview

YouTube via AudioDamage001 | February 01, 2011

http://www.audiodamage.com

"This is a two-part overview of Phosphor, a modern re-make of the alphaSyntauri digital synth of the early 80s. The first part shows a simple track with four Phosphor instances, and the second part takes a quick tour of the UI and shows how to quickly program a sound."

Update: video re-uploaded.

Audio Damage Phosphor Now Available

via Audio Damage

"Phosphor is a VSTi/AU instrument modeled on the alphaSyntauri, a vintage digital additive synth. The original alphaSyntauri required an Apple //e to operate, but we've gone ahead and eliminated the middle-man, and now you can have this classic digital synth in your DAW of choice.

Featuring two sixteen-partial additive oscillators, each with its own amp envelope, Phosphor's topology closely follows the alphaSyntauri, while adding many modern features such as full velocity control, a much more extensive modulation routing system, tempo synced LFOs, a pair of delays, and two monophonic modes. The noise and oscillators are able to work in the original alphaSyntauri resolutions, and can also be run at modern sample rates. All this results in a much more sophisticated and capable synth than the original, without compromising the ability to recreate the classic sounds of the early days of digital synthesis. "

Audio Damage Phosphor

via Analog Industries

"What it is: a two-oscillator 16-voice polysynth loosely based upon the topology of the alphaSyntauri additive synthesis add-on for the Apple ][+ and //e. We've added some modern features like the delays and mod routing, mono modes, and a "clean" setting for the sine waves and noise, in order to extend the capabilities of the synth past its original limits. But this plug is mainly designed for recreating the alphaSyntauri, and at that, it excels."

Update: video of the alphaSyntauri:

Vintage Sound Systems - AlphaSyntauri

YouTube via PineHillAstro | September 06, 2010 |
"The Alpha Syntauri was the flagship digital synthesizer produced by the Syntauri corporation in 1980. This short clip gives an overview of a unit I originally purchased in 1982, serial #A003184. The synthesis hardware engine is provided by the Mountain Computer synthesizer board set that mounted into bus slots within the Apple II. They supported 8 channels of 8-bit stereo audio. AlphaPlus is Syntauri's software application demonstrated here."

RARE alphaSyntauri Synthesizer Keyboard

via this auction

"This keyboard for the Apple II is a real gem for any Apple collector!"

Note the alphaSyntauri is used in Chris Randall's new micronaut album resistor, posted here.

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micronaut - resistor

New album via micronaut, which is Chris Randall of Analog Industries and Audio Damage.

Bandcamp page with audio here

The album will feature the following on the synth front:
"Roland MKS-80
AlphaSyntauri
DSI TETR4
Moog The Source
Yamaha CS-5
Korg 770
Yamaha CP80B
Roland TR-909
Boss DR-110 (modded)

Plug-ins:
All Audio Damage FX
Audio Damage Tattoo
Fabfilter Timeless 2
NI Massive"

See if you can ID the synth in the album cover.

Info on the alphaSyntauri via Laurie Spiegel

See the bottom update in this post.

Alpha Syntauri for Sale

via bodsterbug in the comments of this post.

"I have a alpha syntauri synth that has been sat around for years... Can anyone shed any light on it as I have no idea how it is used etc? How much is it worth? I am looking to sell it to free up some room. My email is bodsterbug aol.com.
Here are a few pics"

Update via Steve in the comments: "Check out this youtube video featuring the Alpha Syntauri (spelled there Alpha Centauri, like the constellation). The sound quality is somewhat muffled." Video below.


UFO from the PLEIADES Mark Murdock SOUNDTRACK
YouTube via musicproductionnotes
"Soundtrack by Mark Murdock for THE MEIRE CHRONICLES UFO documentary film featuring Apple 2 and Alpha Centauri [alphaSyntauri] Mountain Music- the first digital music software introduced in 1981 performed by Mark Murdock and assisted by Joe Berger on a very low budget" Update via Deadpan110 in the comments: "Quote: At the same time synthesizers were becoming less and less analog. Digital sequencers and digital keyboards were the norm, and digital oscillators offered better stability than the analog type. A microprocessor of the day could be programmed to produce 16 voices of somewhat limited tone colors, and this cold be build on a circuit board that would fit into a slot on an Apple II. These boards were mostly built by hobbyists, but commercial versions were sold by companies like Mountain Hardware. The Alpha Centauri was based on such a board and also included a piano style keyboard and sequencing software. Also: There must have been over a thousand hybrid systems built between 1978 and 1984. Most of these were home made. Found on: Short History of Computer Music - Part II." Update via Laurie Spiegel: "To elucidate this mysterious antiquity somewhat: The alphaSyntauri (note: not "C...entauri") "The Origin Syn" (as our promo buttons said): http://www.purplenote.com/syntauri/" link to proximaSyntauri website.

Apple II alphaSyntauri Music System

images via this auction


"Apple ][
Alpha Syntauri
Mountain Computer Music System

Complete Apple //e based setup
Fully working, with lightpen, monitor, disk drive, manuals

This auction is a genuinely rare chance (I hate the phrase, but I haven't seen one of these on auction for a year at least) to obtain a Mountain Computer Music System based AlphaSyntauri. This is a digital synthesizer and sequencer package dating from 1979-1982 in terms of hardware - they went out of production in 1985 or so. It is very similar to the Passport Soundchaser system. The complete setup consists of:

AlphaSyntauri "Pratt & Reed" based 61-key velocity sensitive keyboard, which I have rebuilt and cleaned with new bushes. It would benefit from replacement of the foam damper strip along the base below the keys which has disintegrated with age, but this is largely a cosmetic component. This is the same key mechanism used by many classic synthesizers. There is also an interface card for the keyboard.

AlphaSyntauri's preferred bundle of the "Mountain Computer Music System" voice cards - 8-voice (technically 16 oscillators) stereo sound generator and interface board with lightpen, with wavetable synthesis. This has the original box, in poor condition, and manual (no original disks). The system was also available with three-voice square wave cards from A.L.F, which are very limited.


An Apple //e unenhanced system. To be chronologically correct, this should have a ][+ or //e, this is the nearest I can get to a ][+. Enhanced //e models have timing issues. This is equipped with a duodisk disk drive and interface card, and a Philips monitor of suitable persistence for the lightpen to work. It is also equipped with a higher-output, better cooled AE PSU which should make it rather more reliable despite being 25 years old. In the picture, an 80 column card is visible - this is included in the auction but will not be fitted, as it appears to cause minor timing issues with the synthesizer (I added it to the system to include with the auction then remembered why I removed it!).

Software, including the B3 wavetable generator. This is quite complicated to use, but the results are impressive. To be fully useful, the software needs Apple II paddle controllers - either the later, 9-pin D-sub connector type or earlier ones that connect internally. I no longer have a set of these, but will attempt to locate some before the auction ends. They sell for a few bucks on eBay US when they come up.

It's hard to really fully explain how main "MetaTrak" system works, but it features a sixteen track sequencer, is multi-timbral, and quite flexible. By 1979 standards, it was absolutely stunning. Rather than try and explain what it sounds like, here's a link to a recording of a demo track provided with the system called Galaxy Gap [player above] - this has been played back directly from the system for sale, recorded by myself. It is not multitracked or processed in any way. During playback, the notes are represented on screen in a similar style to the panels on "Close Encounters" - when using other software modules, they are bar-graphs showing velocity.

You can play live over an existing track in MetaTrak. Other software has different features; documentation for the Mountain Computer Music System is included but I had to dig around the internet to find out how to use a lot"

Also see this post.

ALPHA SYNTAURI

Listed in this Craigslist post for $400.

Details
"Multi-timbral synthesiser, with wave-shaping capabilities and harmonic synthesis.
Original Alpha Syntauri system, with Mountain computer cards, keyboard and software. Apple IIe, double disc drive and monitor included. Lots of original Apple software.
Synthétiseur numérique multi-timbrale,manipulation de forme d'onde plus de la synthèse harmonique. Système original d’ALPHA SYNTAURI, avec deux cartes de synthèse, clavier 5 octaves et plusieurs logiciels. Inclus:Ordinateur Apple IIe, lecteur disquette 5" double et moniteur.

Informations:
http://www.synthony.com/vintage/alphasyntauri.html
http://www.purplenote.com/syntauri/documents.html "

via JB