Paia FATMAN analog synthesizer DEMO 2018

Published on Mar 15, 2018

The PAiA Fatman is a great intro to DIY.

"Demonstration of the Paia FATMAN analog synth.
All sounds from the FATMAN.
The sounds are dry or with effects (Novation X-Station).
A loop pedal was used too.
Enjoy"

Evil Sounds from Paia FATMAN analog synth

John "PAiA" Simonton - RIP

Update: If you haven't already, check out the comments of this post for some other words.


This has been a bad year for the synth world indeed. I just read via AH that John "PAiA" Simonton has passed away after a battle with cancer. It's hard to find words that would do him justice. When you think of the great names behind synthesis, names like Bob Moog, Don Buchla, Tom Oberheim and Dave Smith immediately come to mind. You know them because they created the classic uber analog synths. They brought you the packaged analog classics. So what about PAiA? You know the name but you rarely see mention of PAiA systems pitting up against these other synths. So what makes PAiA so special? DIY. The PAiA Fatman was the first and only DIY synth I ever created. I am not a technician and before the Fatman maybe only worked with a soldering iron about twenty years ago in the Boy Scouts. Yes I was a Boy Scout in an urban jungle. Anyway, I created my Fatman and had a blast doing so, but when I finally was done it didn't work. I contacted PAiA and what did they do? They said no problem, had me ship it back, fixed it and returned it back to me free of charge, with an explanation of what I did wrong. Amazing customer service and an amazing experience. So what makes PAiA so special? They allow us to create synthesizers. When I say us I mean everyone, the experienced and the inexperienced DIYers. Think of that. Not simply buying a synth and playing it out of the box, but actually building one. There is just something magical about that, and many of us, myself included, have John "PAiA" Simonton to thank for that. Think of how many people got to experience this because of him. PAiA started in 1967 and are still around today. Simply amazing. Title link takes you to the main PAiA site. RIP John "PAiA" Simonton and thank you for my big, little Fatman. He's pumping out one fat bass.

PAiA Fatman

images via this auction, including some of the inside. I love this shot because you can barely see the components.

via Tuan c/o Drone Studios

"The Paia FatMan is a truly underrated analog synth! Though it is quite simply a two oscillator VCO design routed through to a VCF and a VCA, it makes up for it with a wonderfully beefy sound. The Fatman contains two fat VCOs with detune and mix controls as well as a very nice glide that gives it an old school analog edge. Add to that a warm filter that self oscillates when resonance is pushed to its max and it sounds quite Moogish in nature. There are two separate envelopes for the VCF and VCA, and like the Minimoog there is a special AR/ASR mode that is switchable for the filter and a full ADSR for the amplifier. Add to that a switch labeled PUNCH which simulates the tight envelopes found on the Minimoog. Unlike most old school analog synths, the Fatman contains MIDI ports, so all you need is a Midi controller to start using it. In addition, the Fatman can be used as a CV Gate output to control other classic V/Hz synths like the Korg MS series synths as well as the Yamaha CS series. The Fatman works well as a Midi to CV/Gate interface, but does not have all the features of a Kenton CV/Gate box, though a Kenton box will cost you well over $200. The addition of a CV/Gate output on the Fatman is a big plus! The Fatman is an excellent synth for fat analog bass and lead sounds as well as zany sound effects. If you're a circuit bender, the Fatman is one of the most modded synths on the planet!"

You can find links to samples in the auction.

PAIA FatMan Classic Analog DIY Rack Synth

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

via this auction

"PAIA FatMan Classic Vintage Synth: 19" Rackmount with Original Blue Face and 12V Power Supply.

The FatMan has all the features that give analog its big bottom and punch in a MIDI-controlled package. The classic Voltage Controlled normalization is brought up to date with a Velocity CV not available on pre-MIDI synths. Pitch wheel modulation is supported and Pitch and Velocity CV, and Gate outputs are provided on the front panel for driving PAiA or other linear-response synthesizer modules.

It is a small monophonic analogue synth with two oscillators, 18 rotary knobs, 3 switches and no keyboard. There is a low-pass resonant A(S)R filter, an ADSR VCA and portamento. There is MIDI on-board and as the FatMan uses control voltages to operate the MIDI really acts as a MIDI-to-CV converter. This means that it's CV outputs can be used to control other old analogue gear you may have around.

The FatMan's classic normalization of two VCOs, VCF and VCA is enhanced with MIDI pitch bend and a Velocity Control Voltage routed to both filter and final amplifier. With transpose and offset, pitch covers seven octaves starting from a room-shaking 65 Hz., four octave response under MIDI control.

And all those knobs. They invite experimentation and invention in ways that a single control with functions buried under layers of obscure menus never can. Just a few hours with the FatMan will teach you more about the nature of sound than you might ever learn otherwise. It's as at home in the physics lab as on-stage."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Komegatone

flickr by human_kraig

These are labeled fatman, so I'm just guessing it's a PAiA fatman in a custom case. If you know, feel free to comment. Be sure to click on the bottom shot and look closely. That's a transparent face panel.


Update via Criag Dorety in the comments: "Hey, Komega here (Human_Kraig). Yes its a PAiA fatman with a custom case. I just finished building it yesterday.

Here's a little vid:" [below]


YouTube via k0m3g4
"this is a PAiA fatman synth kit built into an old suitcase that my grandmother used to store her oil paints. The face panel is laser etched/cut from transparent red acrylic."

PAiA Fatman Analog Synthesizer Jam/Test

via Nusonica
"Simple jam session, testing out the PAiA Fatman Analog Synthesizer. The drums are from a Korg drum machine. The PAiA Fatman is a DIY Analog Synthesizer kit. It arrives… More» in a thousand pieces, and you build it. The included instructions are excellent, and this was a very fun build. I highly recommend PAiA’s products."

The Contructor Analog Synthesizer

via Constructor


"These are the actual prototypes - the working one, contains a Paia Fatman voice board, simply because there wasn't easy to have the actual circuits for the devise (it's not my section:D)... the two prototypes - the non-working right, and the 'constructor Fatman' left"

"The Synthesiser is my dissertation project for the Industrial Design polytechnic I'm studing."

Also see:

1.the "Constructor" Paia Fatman plays "Bladerunner theme".

2. "Constructor" 3D model showreel.

PAIA 2700/4700 MODULAR ANALOG SYNTHESIZER

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

via this auction

"A few years ago I decide to take my 1974ish PAiA synthesizer and rebuild it. I researched components by consulting with Scott Lee of PAiA. I designed custom panels through Front Panel Express. To keep the engraving costs down I went with a minimalistic look that was reminiscent of PAiA yet totally original with a vintage vibe, especially the knobs.

I had Steve Wood, a former PAiA Tech from back in the day, do all the module refurbishing. Most of the major components on the boards were replaced & all ICs socketed. The audio path has upgraded caps and Burr-Brown op-amps. All front panel parts and hardware are new. Taking Marvin Jones’ advice, I replaced all the control voltage “pin jacks” with 3.5mm audio jacks. These are grounded so I could interface the PAiA with my other modular gear.

Multi-turn pots are used for VCO frequency tuning (they look like the pots on the old “Putney” synth!). The “bouncy” push button switches are replaced by momentary toggle switches and all of the switches are now toggle switches with vintage looking paddles.

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Paia 9700 and Moog Rogue

YouTube Uploaded by NEWAMBI on Jan 9, 2011

"Picture of my Paia modular in wooden case and the Rogue.
The 9700 sequenced by RM1X and me playing the Rogue.
The Moog is routed through the Paia TubeHead.
Kaosspad used for reverb"

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A Tiny House Studio

Mind-Blowing Tiny House on Foundation w/Music Studio - built w/TRASH! video upload by Tiny House Expedition

This one was spotted and sent in via Russ of Evaton Technologies. There's a peek of the studio in the begining followed by a segmant starting at 18:24. Cool to see a PAIA FatMan in there. It might be the longest running DIY synth still in production. If you know of another feel free to leave a comment. You can find them at https://paia.com.

Video description:

"Meet Christo, a musician & DIY builder extraordinaire. He built a truly awe-inspiring tiny house on foundation using mostly reclaimed wood and salvaged & recycled materials. Initially, he planned to build on wheels but pivoted when the zoning of his land changed. This allowed him to build wider & taller, so he added an epic recording studio!"

Synthspotting:

Access Virus B
Behringer DeepMind 12
Behringer TD-3
PAIA FatMan
Roland JX-08
Korg Minilogue
Arturia KeyStep 37

Video Chapters:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Fatduino v2.0 - analog synth with Arduino control

YouTube Uploaded by nibblernibbles on Oct 23, 2011

"A tour of the Fatduino v2.0 - a homebrew analog midi monosynth and sequencer, made from glueing Paia Fatman and an Arduino Mega microcontroller. Build for no good reason whatsoever other than surviving the grinding misery of a bleak Scottish winter. But surprisingly turned out to be quite a nifty generator of bleeps, whooshes, kruunks, flumpps and zizzes. Features a range of parametric algorithmic pseudo-randomnesses, which lends it a certain glitchy charm, like the mutant offspring of Basstation and a mulfunctioning educational toy.
In the coming eons I may post some show'n'tell demos of the cooler features. Until then, please be awed at the quality of my wiring."

Fatduino Tour - Arduino synthesizer

Uploaded by nibblernibbles on May 3, 2010

"A tour of the "FatDuino" - a homebrew synthesizer made from a modified Paia Fatman analog monosynth controlled by an Arduino Mega.
Schematics, source code etc from here:
http://sites.google.com/site/nibblernibbles/"

Fatduino sounds - Arduino synthesizer

PAIA FATMAN ANALOG SYNTHESIZER (Rack Mount version)

Published on May 2, 2013 trukxelf·3 videos

"This is a recording of the actual Fatman pictured in this slideshow. It is the main synth sound you hear throughout the track. The back of the unit has no enclosure.
You can also hear some Korg ESX hi-hat and percussion in the background. I add Alesis Ion bass-line, a Korg ES-1 drum track, and a little Novation X-station later on. The Fatman is triggered via midi by the ESX-1.
This is an affordable analogue synth, still available as a kit from the PAIA site. It's also a midi to cv converter (linear, not exponential)"

2. "Constructor" 3D model showreel.

YouTube Uploaded by whiteeagle1973made on May 6, 2011

"The music of this clip, is performed on the physical actual prototype -- apart of the drum sounds. This prototype contains a Paia Fatman voice card.
(please see clip "1. the 'Constructor' Paia Fatman plays "Bladerunner theme".')
The titles of the music pieces heard on this clip, are "Lullaby for Capacitor-babies" for the first track and just "electro-beat" for the second one, as it is a crude attempt of me, writing an electro dance oriented piece:D.

You may'd like also to check often, this blog:

http://theconstructoranalogsynthesizerblog.blogspot.com/

where I'm planning to describe the actual process of designing and manufacturing, of this dissertation project.
The blog may be of interest of both the "synth-diy" fanatics and the Industrial/3D Design crowd.

Our Polytechnic Institute link:

http://bs.teikoz.gr/

THANKS FOR WATCHING:)"

PAiA FatMan DYI mono analog synth

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

via this auction

"PAiA FatMan DYI mono analog synth midi or CV controlled"

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PAIA FATMAN BACK FROM THE DEAD

video upload by THIS MUSEUM IS (NOT) OBSOLETE

"The PAIA FATMAN, Download samples of this instrument, much more and Support the museum here :- https://www.patreon.com/lookmumnocomp..."

PAiA Fatman Analogue Synthesizer Demo [Keyboard Version]

Published on Oct 11, 2015 Harry Axten

"A quick demonstration of some of the sounds the PAiA Fatman synth can produce. Although I housed mine in a custom built keyboard, it's a vanilla unmodified kit. Recorded with no effects."

Nuxx's x0xb0x and Paia Fatman

Title link takes you to Nuxx's gallery on his x0xb0x design. In the Album:Finished set there are images of the finished x0xb0x along with a Paia Fatman. Absolutely gorgeous design. Sent my way via Brian Comnes.

PAIA FatMan Desktop Analog Synth with Mods

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

via this auction

"Unlike other desktop FatMan synths, this one has a few customizations:

The 12VAC is connected through a standard jack instead of directly wired to the wall-wart.
The filter is switchable between lowpass and highpass modes via a switch next to the filter AR / ASR switch (typically the FatMan is lowpass-only).
The 555 ICs have been upgraded to CMOS 7555 ICs
The pitch range has an extended low-end (on the order of single cycles-per-second, perfect for filter blips)."

Fatman Analog Synth and AudioCubes Improvisor Jam

Published on Sep 27, 2012 by Percussa

"Paia Fatman analog bass synth controlled by Percussa AudioCubes and Free Improvisor software for generative bass lines ... see http://land.percussa.com/audiocubes-improvisor/ ... Improvisor sends MIDI to the Fatman and Improvisor is controlled by AudioCubes."

Goodbye Paia

YouTube Uploaded by SLagerZahne on Nov 27, 2011

"I am selling my Paia Fatman, and this is the goodbye song."

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