1976 Custom EML Prototype Synth?

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

via this auction

This has popped up twice before, once in 2007, and once in 2015. Both posts have some additional info.

Update: It's worth noting back in the day you could hire EML to build out custom designs. Check out the monster Mattson EML system and The Performance Music Systems Syntar from Mattson in previous posts here. Also see Carbon111's Syntar page.

From the current listing:

"This is a 'Modular' unit, similar to the EML 100/101 but doesn't have a pre-patched Signal Flow.

I've never seen any other - if you have any information about this item, please contact me.

It offers:

* Noise Generator

* 2 VCOs with Pulsewidth / Waveshape controls
* a 3 input Mixer
* the classic EML Multimode Filter
* Spring Reverb

* External Input

* VCA

* S&H/Sampler LFO

* LFO with 2 outputs

* Envelope Generator which can be triggered by the Keyboard of the Sampler

* Glide

*Multiple

It is fully working and really offers the classic EML sound (I do have a EML 101 to compare) ."

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Performance Music Systems SYNTAR Turns 40

it’s been 40 years since the Performance Music Systems SYNTAR was introduced at the #namm show in #1980 by george mattson - bob #moog even got to try it out #keytar #namm2020 #eml #analog #synthesizer #ymo #rydeen #cover pic.twitter.com/mXVY8ypfP8

— sdf (@sdf_pubnix) January 19, 2020

via @sdf_pubnix

"it’s been 40 years since the Performance Music Systems SYNTAR was introduced at the #namm show in #1980 by george mattson - bob #moog even got to try it out #keytar #namm2020 #eml #analog #synthesizer #ymo #rydeen #cover"

Check out previous posts featuring the Syntar here.

The Syntar was the first self-contained synthesizer keytar. Before the Syntar, keytars were controllers. The Syntar was created by George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. There was a keyboardless version of the Syntar called the SWAN, or Syntar Without a Neck. A SWAN II was announced back in 2018, under development with Division 6.

Update: you can find a great article on the Syntar at Carbon111.com here, and an interview I did with George Mattson way back in 2006 here.

George Mattson Announces His Retirement and the Division 6 SWAN II Eurorack System

This one is in via George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. Back on September 15, 2007, I posted a little teaser that would eventually launch Mattson back into the synth manufacturing world. He is the man behind the Syntar - the original keytar synthesizer, and the SWAN (Syntar Without A Neck) was the follow-up non-keytar version. It's fitting and an honor that George Mattson is announcing his retirement and a new SWAN here on MATRIXSYNTH.

"Hello to all of my dear synth friends, customers, and associates.

After 45 years of involvement in the synthesizer community, it is time for me to retire.

The community is on the right track with some extremely talented, enthusiastic people that can carry on the vision while I step back and focus on actually learning to play the gear I have acquired throughout the years. What a concept…

I thank all of you for the support and friendship that you have provided to me throughout the years. It has been very humbling and I bow to all of you.

I am currently working on my last system design along with my little brother Scott Rise of Division 6. He will be the “manufacturer” and sales point for the S.W.A.N. II.

It’s basically a 60HP 3U complete system. It has 3 VCOs and two separate voice chains. It contains a sequencer, arpeggiator, and the VCOs can be split to upper/lower priority for duophonic operations.

The main 60HP unit has Basic I/O.

For patching ability, there will be a 24HP expander that provides access to more I/O. It will also have sequencer program save/recall functions and the ability to set MIDI channels via the control panel. The two VCF notch outputs will also be accessible.

The main system VCOs will have continuously variable waveform mixing between triangle, square, and saw outputs similar to the EML 101 style of mixing. Both VCFs will also have continuously variable mode mixing between LP, BP, and HP, also like the EML 101.

There will be a 20HP expander panel that will allow for VC control of the VCO waveform mixing and the VCF mode mixing, along with a couple of cascaded buffered multiples and a couple of cascaded clock dividers/square wave sub generators.

That’s it in a nutshell. I’ve been working on this since May of last year and have been trying to balance my time between this design and getting ready to retire.

Price point? Not enough info yet to determine. Probably under $1K for the main unit.
Release date? June/July? As soon as we can. We may crowdfund manufacturing, but we need to accumulate more data first.

Once I have retired, I will still be doing custom system builds. I can’t totally pull away from this art.

Again, thank all of you for your support, and I’ll see you at Knobcon.

George Mattson"

Rare Performance Music Systems Syntar for Sale

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

via this auction

PS SN 0981009

"One of the last and rarest keyboards from the South Florida Keyboard Collectors Estate Sale

Only 8 of these were ever made [see the update below], it is the rarest of the rare and its safe to say you will probably not see another one of these on ebay ever

Unit powers up but keyboard not functioning properly, the same note sounds for all the keys played"

Update: word is this is likely the late Mel Morley's (aka midimel's) Syntar. Also, there were more than 8 made. There was 15, 12 were completed and 3 made their way into the Mattson EML system.

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George Mattson History of Analog & Modular Synthesis & MST Synthrotek Modules

Published on Feb 17, 2015 synthrotek

http://www.synthrotek.com/products/ms...

"Synth pioneer George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular and the Syntar takes sits down with Synthrotek to share his history in audio synthesis, the fall of Analog and his thoughts on the new MST line of of Eurorack modules. He also gives his insight into the future of modular synthesis."

George Mattson & Synthrotek will be showing their new MST Synthrotek modules at the upcoming Denver Synth Meet on March 14 (just announced below).

See the channel labels below for additional posts on the Syntar, Mattson and the monster Mattson EML.

George Mattson Added to Wikipedia

George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular has been added to Wikipedia. Click through for a bit of synthesizer history.

"He is credited with the invention of the Syntar, the first fully self-contained 'keytar', in 1978, and is founder and owner of Mattson Mini Modular."

Pictured here is George with his monster EML system featuring his own custom modules, his original EML 101, and a small Mattson Mini Modular system to the right of the EML.

See the channel labels at the bottom of this post for more on each as well as the Syntar.

Mattson EML Sequencer Renovation Keyboard Panels

via George Mattson on Facebook

Top: "Left keyboard panel complete. Included a Syntar left-hand keyboard controller, a ribbon controller and two VC multi mode Filters with VC resonance."

Bottom: "Right keyboard panel complete. Included a Utility 1 clock +divider, variable voltage source, two 4-channel VC mixers and a two-channel oscilloscope."

See the Mattson EML channel below for more.

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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.

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."

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.

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.

EML POLY-BOX

Pics of the EML POLY-BOX from my visit to George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. George is planning to MIDI-fy the POLY-BOX. Shots of the inside further below.

This is a follow-up post to the Syntar Clock.

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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 "

Electronic Music Laboratories Modular Restoration Project

via George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular: "This is my Electronic Music Laboratories sequencer. It is actually a compilation of assorted EML synthesizers I own that I stuffed into a common case.

In 1978, I was tired of trying to stack all of these and decided to compile them into one unit. At the time, I owned: The Electrocomp 400 sequencer with the 2x16 sequencer panel, The EML 200 "Modular" And, the EML 300 controller. I also own an EML 101 and an EML Poly-Box but, they didn't stack. I built the case out of 1/2" plywood with wood mounting rails and stapled black vinyl around the case. The case measures 4' wide x 3.5' high x 1' deep. Since I had a couple of extra holes, I ordered another 2x16 sequencer panel and another EML 300 without a case to fill it up. After 32 years, I've decided to refurbish this compilation and give it a new house.

The plan: Besides the panels in the case, I also have the EML circuit modules that I had purchased from EML in order to build a 'proof of concept' Syntar in 1979 [Update: see this post]. I also have a few left over 3-octave Pratt-Read keyboards from my old Syntar stock along with some old Syntar circuit boards. I want to determine what I have that is still working or, easy to fix. Once I have an inventory, I'm going to design a modular panel to fit between the 300's and the top portion and incorporate the working modules into the system. I'm also going to add the two 3-octave keyboards. Below those, I will put my 88-key M-audio MIDI controller keyboard and add a couple of MMM MIDI/CV controllers. Anything that I feel I need to fill out the signal paths and patching structure I'll just pull from my DIY module stock.

After the "modular" section is defined, I'll refurbish, re-cap the existing EML panels, calibrate them and clean/lube all of the panel controls that aren't sealed. Any sealed pots that are noticeably bad in an audio path will be replaced with something newer.

It should be a fun refurbishing project.

To be continued…."

George Mattson"

Rare Pictures of EML Circuit Modules

Pics courtesy via George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. These are the circuit boards George purchased from EML to build his first Syntar prototype. Also see the original Syntar brochures on Retro Synth Ads.

In order:
EML ADSR-1 Envelope Generator
EML DVCA-1 Dual Voltage Controlled Amplifier
EML EA-1 Exponential Amplifier Mixer
EML EF-1 Envelope Follower-Preamp
EML LFO-1 Low Frequency Oscillator
EML MX-1 4 Input Mixer
EML NS-1 Noise Source
EML SH1 Sample and Hold
EML SVCA-1 Single Voltage Controlled Amplifier
EML VCF-1 VC Filter
EML VCO-1 VC Oscillator Circuit Module

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MMM Demos

Just some fiddling with the MMM. No music, just sound. Be sure check out the Mattson Mini Modular Forum for a note from George on the one year anniversary yesterday. If you missed it see this post for images. Note the following all feature the Syntar SSM 2040 filter. The final filter is the last remaining item. I do have to say the quality of the system has come a long way since it was first announced. If you remember it was messaged to be a bare-bones, budget modular with a finish on the panels meant to be replaced. It now has a very proper finish (same panel overlays as DSI and Moog) and it feels rock solid. The oscillators are new and based on the Syntar, EML style OSCs. To be honest I was a little worried the new OSCs would not live up to the Syntar's. To my surprise they do and they are much more stable, tracking a full six octaves. With just two OSCs it actually gives my Voyager a run for the money. These are very bold oscillators. The final filter will of course have to prove itself, however if the OSCs are any sign, I am sure they will come through. This is a very nice modular system. Again, the following is just some tinkering. You can see prior posts for more demos and videos by clicking on the MMM label below. Apologies for the heavy reverb on the first couple of demos. http://mattsonminimodular.com/

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REINTRODUCING THE P.M.S. SYNTAR ANALOGUE SYNTHESIZER

YouTube via redmartian

"The Syntar was designed in the late 70s by George Mattson. George's company, P.M.S. (Performance Music Systems) manufactured these units with some work done by EML. There are roughly 8 units built and sold with a handful of prototypes, but by 1980 Moog Music had the Syntar beat marketing wise with its lesser Liberation.

Mark Mothersbaugh once optically scanned a Syntar at NAMM, but it seems the Liberation ended up in their rig.

I wanted to post a simple piece first and then later go into much further detail about what the Syntar can do that most mono-synths cannot and why it blows all other 'keytars' away.

(I hope I beat Jean Michel Jarre by posting the first Syntar video anywhere)"

Note that Jean Michel Jarre indeed did recently pick up a Syntar. Via his official blog:
"These past few days I have been chasing some analog instruments which I need for some new tracks and for the future on stage. I found a second Moog Liberation and a very rare portable keyboard, the Syntar."
YMO

An Afternoon with George, James and Greg

Update: George sent me an MP3 of one of our jam sessions and I just put up a post here with details.

George Mattson, creator of the Syntar, invited me, James(Carbon111), and Greg (Alpha Wave Movement) over for an afternoon jam session and get together. We had a great time, and I finally got to see and hear the Syntar along with George's EML semi-modular. We spent most of the afternoon in a "tangerine dream" playing along to Greg's rhythms and a very nice sequence George patched up on the EML. After the session we had some delectable sandwiches and brownies made by George's wife Celeste. Thank you Celeste! We had a great time. Definitely not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Title link takes you to a ton of shots I took and a couple of short AVIs; unfortunately the audio did not come out. George has promised to send us a few mp3 of the session, so I'll put them up when I get them. Apologies for the quality of some of the shots - the room was dimly lit (great atmosphere), but the tranlsation was lost in many of these shots.

That's James in the Green T, George by the EML and Greg up front.

George and Syntar Prototype #2