George Mattson and Jason Stiles at the PNW Synth Gathering 2010

YouTube via matrixsynth | July 27, 2010

http://mattsonminimodular.com/

See this post for more details on the one of a kind floor system Jason is playing. This entire performance was done real time with guitar, bass and two 2-cabinet MMM’s run with their feet.

The following is another version of the piece performed by George Mattson and Jason Stiles. The main line in A minor is an old classical guitar piece by an unknown composer. If anyone does know, feel free to comment or shoot me an email - contact info is on the bottom right of the site.

matrixsynth · GeoJas Etude Am

Note: if the player doesn't work, try refreshing or click here.

Update via ThisGuyFrritz on YouTube: "The original piece is 'Asturias' by Isaac Albeniz."

Division 6 Mattson SQ816 Praise from Malekko's Joshua Holley

via Joshua Holley on Facebook

"The best part about manufacturing? Getting a sample of course! Here is the Mattson SQ816 http://www.division-6.com/products/mattson-sq816-sequencer.php. I'm beaming with excitement to announce the robots at Darkplace will be busy all this week populating boards (in between playing this thing...i can't believe how awesome it is!!!)
Seriously my favorite sequencer!!!"

According to George Mattson, this is serial #0001.

http://mattsonminimodular.com/
http://malekkoheavyindustry.com/

PNW Synth Gathering 2008 via George Mattson

flickr set via George Mattson of MMM (click the set link for more)

You'll find some shots of people presenting their gear.

NOT NAMM: Mattson Mini Modular in New Modular Formats

Some shots via George Mattson's Facebook page. It looks like George will be making the MMM boards available for anyone that wants to build his modules in other formats. Via George on the MMM forum:

"For those of you with a DIY lust, I'm working on getting my cart set up to offer Assembled/tested PC board modules.

This will allow the DIY enthusiasts to get a working module, edge mount it on whatever panel they choose to make (or have made) and get creative on panel size, graphics, I/O placement and whichever style and type of jacks, pots or knobs they desire.

I am currently digging up resources for reference to give the DIY customer places to go for panels, materials, etc.

I'll have wire kits available to support the I/O connections from the board-to-panel components and a list of panel components that will be required for each module.

90% of my circuit boards have the option of either using the MTA 0.100" 6-pin power headers as used standard in my system and synthesizers.com systems or, the MTA 0.156" 4-pin Blacet-style power connectors. The boards can be ordered with either or both. With both, the module can be used as a converter from one power scheme to the other.

Most of my circuits seem to be perfectly happy using +/-15VDC or +/-12VDC. The circuits that can be affected by the voltage source will be listed as such. For those, I will need to know what power source you would be using in order to calibrate the board properly.

I have been receiving requests to do this for some time to support the community who has already invested resources into formats other than mine. I thought it was a great idea, time to implement it was my biggest reason for the delay.

I should have the web site and WIKI updated by next week."

BTW, thank you for my MMM George! My first modular system. :)

PNW SynthFest 2011 - George Mattson & Syntar #1

YouTube Uploaded by matrixsynth on Nov 1, 2011

George Mattson on The Syntar, serial number #1.

MMTA SYNTHFEST 2012 Walkthrough Video by MATRIXSYNTH

YouTube Published on Jun 3, 2012 by matrixsynth

http://www.mostlymodular.com/

More will follow tomorrow. Be sure to see the MMTA SYNTHFEST label below for all coverage of the event.


On display (if I missed anyone let me know! This is from the sign-up list):
Update: Larry Kleinke aka Computer Controlled and Mr.AcidMachine as well as the table map. Note the center tables were spaced apart at the event.

A - NARAS
B - John Bowen & the Solaris - Carbon111 (Facebook)
C - Chris Lehfeldt
D - Synthwerks
E - Scott Rise / Division 6
F - George Mattson / Mattson Mini Modular & the Mattson EML
G - John L Rice YouTube | Vimeo | Facebook | SoundCloud | Grooveshark
H -Steve Turnidge's Desktop Mastering
I - Moog Music
J - Lunchbox Audio
K - Madrona Labs
L - Lorne Hammond & George Welsh
N - Guitar Center
Q - Vidgod aka Gary Bauder and the Cosmic Tumblers
O - Mr.AcidMachine
P - Hans Lindauer / Jabrudian Industries LLC / The Missing Link
S - Jordan Passmore
T - Larry Kleinke aka Computer Controlled

The Harvestman - on foot.

Division 6 Eurorack Format Mattson SQ816 Sequencer Video

Published on Jan 1, 2013 matrixsynth·247 videos

http://www.division-6.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sequencer

As promised, here is the video from my visit to George Mattson's studio. George gives us an overview of the Division 6 eurorack Mattson SQ816 sequencer. You'll find pics here.

WHO's BABA 5u Mattson EG Module DEMO

YouTube via MrRitchieDrums — May 09, 2010 — "Gearge Mattson makes a Mini Modular Synthesizer system & also offers boards to build your own Modules. He built this EG in a basic panel to show how his designs can be used in the 5u format. Some of the sounds it produces remind me of The Who song "BABA O'RILEY"(also known as TEENAGE WASTELAND). Not trying to reproduce that sequence here, just experimenting with a similar 4 note pattern on the Q119 analog sequencer. This Envelope creates rhythm patterns that wouldn't normally occur using delays. Also simulates distortion effects when the repeat rate is MAX!!"

Mattson Modular EG with Synthesizers.com DEMO

"MrRitchieDrums — May 09, 2010 — George Mattson makes a mini modular system and also offers boards to make your own modules. He built this one using a simple 5u panel. It is running off my Synthesizers.com power supply. It will also work with MOTM power. This is a simple patch using 1-VCO, 1-VCF, 1-VCA & the MMM EG. The Q119 sequencer is producing a 12 note pattern"

From the Syntar to the MMM Phoenix

In case you missed it, click here for a letter from George Mattson on the MMM Phoenix series analog modular synth. I thought I'd pull some highlights from the letter below, but please do read the full letter. You can also find a detailed spec list for each module available for the system here, and you can find more info on the Syntar here and here.


"My name is George Mattson.
30 years ago I developed and manufactured a performance oriented analog synthesizer I called a Syntar. The synthesizer was innovative at the time, met with limited success and has recently become a topic of conversation in a variety of synthesizer forums.

Due to the growing abundance of new, analog synthesizer enthusiasts, I have been asked to return to manufacturing.

I took the core circuits of the Syntar (thus, the Phoenix Series) and designed a new format; a portable, true analog modular synthesizer specifically budgeted for the new market."
[Matrix: note the analog of the Phoenix rising out of the ashes of the Syntar.]

Some highlights on some unique modules to the system.

"Signal distribution: I do have one major design philosophy quirk. I don’t like passive multiples-period. Using a passive multiple for signal distribution degrades the signal. Using a passive multiple as a “mixer” sums the signals together and can lead to overloading the input of the destination module. I designed two new modules to replace these functions:
The 4X-1X2 buffer: Sort of a buffered “splitter”. It can take 4 different input signals and split them into two output signals for each channel. Each signal is buffered so, the signal is rejuvenated and doesn’t degrade. I took the liberty of cascading the channel outputs into the input of the next channel. So, if a signal is patched into channel 1, it is available on all 8 outputs until the chain is broken with a subsequent channel input. Then, the original signal is available on the preceding outputs while the new signal is available on all of the remaining outputs. It sounds weird but, once you’ve used it, you wonder how you were able to get by without it.

The 4X Mixer: The “other function” replacement of a passive multiple. The mixer has four inputs and actually two outputs, an inverting and a non-inverting output. I designed the mixer to be used for either audio or control voltage signals. This allows for precise adjustment of an audio mix or, a real nifty way to build complex control voltages by using multiple CV sources. In order to add a bit of excitement, my audio mixing days came back to me and I added a “punch-in” pushbutton on each channel to allow for an abrupt addition or elimination of the channel signal into or out of the mix. This is usually a subliminal function but, makes a big difference in audio or CV real-time control.

Filter: The Syntar utilized the SSM 2040 filter. They’re not available anymore at any kind of reasonable price or in guaranteed quantity. Since I had plenty to do with the rest of the system, I was able to get a custom filter designed specifically for this system kindly and graciously by Synth DIY guru Jim Patchell. He designed a 4-Pole 24dB/Octave state-variable multi-mode filter for this. That’s synth-speak for WOW. It sounds great. Thanks Jim. Way to kick a--!

Keyboard control: OK, I had to make some concessions here. Rather than designing an analog keyboard input module and trying to find and stock keyboards (they’re hard to find anymore in small quantities), I went digital and provided a MIDI-CV input module. It’s actually integrated into the power supply module, which makes this a double-wide module and isn’t available as a stand-alone module. I originally designed the system using a commercially-available MIDI-CV controller but, it had limited function, the manufacturer was hard to communicate with and they didn’t want to give me any reasonable OEM pricing. Sooooooo, I had a MIDI-CV controller designed to my specifications by Scott Rise of Division 6. This turned into one of the coolest modules. (even if it is d*g*tal) Read the module descriptions for a full description. This allows the owner to use any MIDI generating keyboard they desire, or any MIDI generating sequencer control. Mmmm- 16 systems, each utilizing a different MIDI channel. Yes, it blows the “Basic and inexpensive” philosophy out the door. But, it was actually less expensive to design and manufacture than pay the “not-so-OEM” pricing offer’s I was quoted for something less versatile. We all win. I’m negotiating with Scott (a nicer way of saying “convincing”) to produce versions of this in other formats or stand-alone units and allow me to offer them for sale on the web site." [Read this thread for more]. via Scott in that thread: "The rumors are true; I will be coming out with a standalone version of the MIDI-CV converter. As far as an exact time frame, I'm not entirely sure yet. I need to get through the MMM launch stuff first.

I also want to get some input from people like you who might possibly have a need for such a converter or are already using one. What would you like to see it do? Now is your chance to help shape it and make it useful. The initial version is going to be based on the one I designed for the MMM but some things will need to be different. For example, should the mod wheel continue to drive a separate 0-5v output or should it modulate the main CV? Does it need an S-Trig output?

Later down the road I will be making a multi-out version that has even more features, so even if your suggestions don't make it in this version they would probably make it into the next one."

click here for the full letter. click here for the modules. click here for the main site.
And don't miss the forums.

The Syntar Turns 32

Today marks the 32 year anniversary of George Mattson's Performance Music Systems Syntar. You might recognize the name Mattson. George is the man behind Mattson Mini Modular. The Syntar, conceived in 1978, was the first all-enclosed keytar synthesizer. Before then keytars were just controllers. You can read all about the history of The Syntar on Carbon111.com here (you'll find a pic of Bob Moog playing Syntar prototype #1), and of course check out the Syntar label for posts that have gone up here. Below are two videos of Red Martian with the Syntar at the PNW 2009 synth gathering.



Pacific Northwest Synth 2009 - Red Martian
YouTube via matrixsynth | November 03, 2009


YouTube via matrixsynth.

Overview of the Syntar comes in around 1:55.

Introducing Ichabod - Billy Corgan's Mattson Mini Modular

http://mattsonminimodular.com

"Ichabod is a custom MMMega system commissioned by Billy Corgan of ‘Smashing Pumpkins’.

The system is a 192 module space system comprised of three custom-built 4X wide central cabinets, four standard-size auxiliary 12-space cabinets that can be utilized independently and two custom designed cable caddies for storing and organizing patch cables. The color scheme is orange and black with custom logo panels. The case is hand crafted from African Padauk. Module placement was determined to assure that each cabinet could be utilized as a stand-alone system independent of the other cabinets. Ichabod configured as pictured measures about six feet wide (1.75m) and four feet (1.37m) high.

The final module compliment has yet to be determined and presently sports a whopping 32 VCO’s, 16 VCF’s, 16 ADSR Envelope Generators, 16 VCA’s and 8 MIDI-CV controllers to consist of the main control and audio chains. The remainder of the modules are a generous multiple selection of CV generation and signal processing modules.

Billy asked George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular to design and build a sequencer to compliment the system. Coming soon is a 3-panel wide 8X3 analog sequencer that can be synchronized and run in series or parallel with multiple units. The project required that George finalize the designs of several module designs that were in development and lead to the creation of some new modules. The new modules will be presented throughout the week.

Ichabod is now cosmetically complete. Module manufacturing is in production with completion scheduled for July or August." Note you can see the new sequencer in the bottom row of cabinets, third from the left, top row. If you click on the image and look closely you will see other unannounced modules.
Update: larger shot here.
Tip: after other posts go up, you can get back to this one quicker by clicking on the Featured link on top of the site.

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.

Introducing The Synthesizer Academy

"If you're looking for a good synthesis tutorial or two, the folks over at the MMTA are putting together a new site called The Synthesizer Academy. Each Monday a new lesson will be posted. Topics will cover everything from what a synthesizer is, to making fancy patches, to building your own system. You can subscribe to the RSS feed if you want to be notified when new lessons are posted."

The site is spearheaded and hosted by Scott Rise of Division 6. You might recognize the modular in the pic. It's George Mattson's monster custom EML modular. See the Mattson EML label below for more posts. George, of course, is the man behind Mattson Mini Modular. Other members of the MMTA include Eardrill, flight of harmony, The Harvestman, Malekko, Synthwerks, 4ms Pedals, and yours truly.

George Mattson & His Monster Custom EML Coming to MMTA SynthFest

via George C Mattson on Facebook

"Getting ready for the MMTA Seattle Synth Fest at the EMP on Saturday. John L Rice came over last night and caught me tweaking in my setup for the show."

And of course his Mattson Mini Modular systems will be there as well. You can see them to the right of the EML.

dealing with empty-case malaise: psychedelic lights behind mattson mini modular blanking panels

YouTube via hewstigator | February 15, 2011 |

"OK so I realized quickly that this "case lighting project" was pretty lame without video, so here it is... but i couldn't record any "modular synth audio" without nesting the case in a horrible tangle of wires (my system is currently spread out between this mattson mini modular case, an analogue systems case, mooger foogers, and a korg monotron (which, once the CV inputs were added, is pretty nice EXCEPT for the layer of white noise on top of the audio output$@#!@). as you can see, at the moment i only have 2 mattson modules, a shortage which i am trying to rectify!... the orange "m"s are not standard, but were "leftover" plates that george mattson was kind enough to let me experiment with!

The music is just a semi-germanic unfinished song by my band the new lines...

note re: monotron - people have figured out that the noise comes from the VCF, theoretically fix-able by replacing the chip that amplifies the outbound vcf signal...

http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/view..."

http://mattsonminimodular.com/

Stephen Jones of Red Martian to Perform Live at PNW AES Meeting

Stephen Jones of Red Martian will be performing seven tracks at the upcoming AES Synth Meeting previously posted here. In case you missed it, George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular, James Husted of Synthwerks, Kevin O'Neill of Flight of Harmony, Scott Rise of Division 6, and Sebastian Jaeger of The Harvestman will be presenting. If you are in the Pacific Northwest, don't miss this event.

Some previously posted videos of Stephen Jones:

GEKIGANGER - THE TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY OF THE FIRST PRODUCTION MATTSON MINI MODULAR PART II from RED MARTIAN on Vimeo.

FIRST PRODUCTION MATTSON MINI MODULAR SYNTH DEMO SIX SE IO M'ACCORGO from RED MARTIAN on Vimeo.

Click here and scroll for more videos of and from Stephen Jones.

Two PDX Synth Gathering Pics - Custom EML/MMM and Buchla

Some pics via George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. The top two are from the recent PDX Synth Gathering. You can see a Mattson Mini Modular system on top of a panel. The panel is George's custom work and is part of his massive EML Modular Restoration project (see this post). There are two close-ups of the panel below. The second shot are two Buchla 200es. The left is Citizen Mori's and the right Dougcl's who hosted the event.

Mattson SQ816 Desktop Sequencer

via George Mattson on Facebook

You are likely familiar with the new Division 6 / Mattson SQ16 sequencers in eurorack and Mattson Mini Modular format.  It will also be available in a stand alone desktop format as pictured here.

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."

A Visit to the Mattson Mini Modular Studio - Pics Part 2

As promised here is the second set of pics from my visit to George Mattson's studio. We had some particularly good wine. :)

This set was taken with an iPhone 4S. You can catch my previous post with pics taken on a Canon Rebel T2i here. A final post with video will follow when I have some time to upload it - it ate up a 4G SD card.

P.S. Giving this one the holidays label.  The Mattson EML all lit up is about as close as it gets to a synthmas tree imo.  Note the Mini Mattson Modular to it's right.  Enjoy the pics.  :)  Some of these make for great wallpaper.

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