Pics of the One of a Kind Performance Music Systems S.W.A.N.

S.W.A.N.  stands for Syntar Without a Neck.  As most of you know, the Syntar was the first  synthesizer keytar and was developed by George Mattson, the man currently behind Mattson Mini Modular.  It is an all analog monophonic synth that dates back to 1981. You'll find some additional details on the S.W.A.N. previously posted here.

Only one SWAN was ever produced and you are looking at it. And no, I am not the lucky owner.

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Cowboy and the Vocoder by Redmartian

The track is now available here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/redmartian9

"The song was recording using the MMM for bass and vocoder carrier. The lead is a jupiter-6 and the drums were done using a Sequential DrumTraks. The lead and vocoder (Roland SVC-350) parts were played manually along with the bass/drums which were sequenced using midi via Logic."

Some of you might remember Cowboy and the Vocoder from these previous posts.  The story behind this track has a somewhat intersting and quirky history.  Cowboy was VoiceEncoder's dog.  VoiceEncoder is known for his vocoder videos and demos that became somewhat of an obscure synth meme.  His demos actually came up in a recent conversation I had with someone.  VoiceEncoder would often feature his dog Cowboy in his videos.  Cowboy would just be lying on a bed somewhere while VoiceEncoder talked to him through a vocoder.  Sadly Cowboy passed away on Monday, March 23, 2009 (click through for a tribute post).

The second half of what makes this track special is that it is one of the first tracks predominantly featuring the Mattson Mini Modular (it might actually be the first) [Update: according to Redmartian, "it was the first 'song' on the MMM. I did a few musical demos and orchestrated lute pieces, but this was the first 'pop song'."] It was composed by Redmartian as a tribute to Cowboy.  The lyrics are a dedication to Cowboy and the videos he was featured in.  Below are two videos for the track.  The bottom video was taken at the 2009 PNW Synth Gathering and features the Performance Music Systems Syntar in place of the Jupiter-6 for leads.   The Syntar was the first fully contained keytar synthesizer created by George Mattson, the man behind Mattson Mini Modular.

Cowboy and the Vocoder and the MMM

Uploaded on Nov 5, 2008 redmartian·73 videos

"A song written for a dog who likes to listen to the sound the Roland SVC-350 vocoder. This song features the MMM as well as a Sequential Circuits Drum Traks and a Roland Jupiter-6. (I don't have a Poly-800 .. sorry cowboy).

Here are the lyrics:

Do you know Cowboy
and the SVC-350?
Do you know Cowboy
and the Roland Vocoder?

Hey there Cowboy
I see you there
Lazy gazing
Gazing lazy
Whos my sweet boy?
You know its you.
I like to vocode and you do too.

No Poly-800 to drive the SVC
So I use an MMM as my carrier wave
No Poly-800 but Cowboy doesn't mind.
We all know its the Roland SVC-350 vocoder time.

Audio version can be found here:
http://redmartian.com/napster/Red_Mar...

Don't hate the dog or the vocoder."

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.

Classic Syntar T-shirt and Hoodie Designs at Synthrotek

via Synthrotek, available here.

"No classic synth t-shirt collection is complete without the original SYNTAR marketing material graphics which were HAND DRAWN by George Mattson himself!!!. This shirt also comes as a hoodie. Limited edition. Click on the image above to check out the garment selection on the Synthrotek store."

New Wave Modular Synthesizer PNW AES Meeting Pics

flickr set by matrixsynth
(click for more)

New Wave Modular Synthesizer Meeting at the PNW division of the AES, at MS Studios in Redmond WA. Manufacturers represented:

http://www.theharvestman.org/
http://flightofharmony.com/
http://mattsonminimodular.com/
http://synthwerks.com/
http://division-6.com/

Modular cases by:
http://monorocket.com/
http://synthwood.com/
http://doepfer.com/

Performances by http://redmartian.com/"

The PMS Syntar and acidlab Miami also made an appearance.

Also see the Syntar and MMM pages on Carbon111.com.

More vids will be coming. See the PNWAES label for all posts on the event.

Update: Left to right in the top shot: Scott Jaeger of The Harvestman, Stephen Jones of Red Martian and Synthwood, Scott Rise of Division-6, flight of flight of harmony, George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular, James Husted of Synthwerks, and Steve Turnidge of Synthwerks and chair of the PNW AES section.

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1980 Performance Music Systems Syntar Brochure

via Retro Synth Ads where you'll find the write-up, including some words from George Mattson, the creator of the Syntar and now Mattson Mini Modular.

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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.

SYNTAR Synthesized Guitar w/ Build in Mini Keyboard

This one is in via @BuckRemus, who was curious if there was any relation to George Mattson's PMS Syntar, the first synthesizer keytar. I reached out to George and he said he didn't know what it is, so there is no relation.

If you know what this is, feel free to leave a comment.

There appears to be 16 buttons (presets?), and three colored buttons, one blue, one orange, and one grey.  Note there are six mini keys, so they could be the equivalent of the six strings on a guitar and meant to be strummed rather than pressed like traditional keys.  There are three knobs, or possibly four if the one on the right is just missing a knob cap.  There are a number of holes as you can see (tuning/calibration points?).

Update: Two more pics added below, and via @BuckRemus: "it didn't come with a power supply so we're hoping to find someone who knows something so we don't fry it (if it hasn't been already). If it helps, it was purchased in Maine."

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PNW SynthFest 2011 - George Mattson & Syntar #1

YouTube Uploaded by matrixsynth on Nov 1, 2011

George Mattson on The Syntar, serial number #1.

Thank You Rain

YouTube via redmartian

"Music by RED MARTIAN. More information at
http://redmartian.com

Recorded using an Acidlab Miami, PMS Syntar and Mattson Mini Modular."

Note Stephen Jones of Red Martian will be performing at the PNW AES meet this coming Wednesday. See this post and this post. Georg Mattson, creator of the Syntar and the Mattson Mini Modular will be presenting.

myVST Demo : Syntar

myVST Demo : Syntar from myVST on Vimeo.

"More VST on: myvst.com/​"

Mattson Mini Modular Perched on a Synthesizers.com Modular

The MMM Phoenix series on top of a Synthesizers.com modular at this year's PNW Synth Gathering. Image via Carbon111 in this VSE thread. Be sure to check out Carbon111's updated Syntar page now with the MMM. The modules on the MMM are all the same size whereas the synthesizers.com varies based on the modules. The dotcom uses 1/4" jacks and is based on the MOOG modular. The MMM uses 1/8" jacks and is based on the Syntar (more info on Carbon111's site).

click the image for the full size shot.

Note the MMM pictured is the base system at 12 modules. You can add an aditional 12 modules on the right for 24 modules total. The PSU and MIDI to CV take up two spaces in the default system and are used for the additional 12 modules. You can latch on additional cabinets and each system can be folded into a closed and protected modular suitcase for on the go.

You can find more info on the Mattson Mini Modular here and synthesizers.com here.

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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syntar pogo transfer and Buchla Nuke

flickr by breath.sound
(click for more)

Top: syntar pogo transfer
Middle: Buchla Nuke
Bottom: Page 4

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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.

Performance Music Systems Syntar

Gorgeous shot of the Performance Music Systems Syntar by George Mattson. Click the image for the full size. Also see these previous posts featuring George Mattson. Be sure to check out this post by Carbon111 on Synthwire and this exclusive interview on Matrixsynth.

Man, it would be awesome if George would come out with something new! I was fortunate enough to play with this as you can see in the previous posts and it sounded incredible.

Syntar Clock

The Syntar Clock

Available on Cafe Press here. You'll also find Ts and and iPad case!

I took these two pics on a recent visit to the workspace of Mattson Mini Modular.

A few more posts will follow featuring some of the goodies I saw there. Thank you George!

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syntar madness with steve

YouTube via kidtronic.

"A couple of camera clips from the Pacific Northwest synth meet in Renton near Seattle, October 25 2008. You may see the inventor briefly."

Note that should be Syntar.

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"

Pacific Northwest Synth 2009 - George Mattson

YouTube via matrixsynth.

http://mattsonminimodular.com

George discusses the Syntar (the first keytar ever), Division-6's Midify, Synthwood Cable Racks, Ad Infinitum colored cables and of course the Mattson Mini Modular and some of his new projects including the Handicon. The Handicon will be a CV hand controller that you can interface with your modular. It is based on the neck controller of the Syntar mentioned in Stephen's post below. Image of the MMM handicon prototype below.

Part 2


click here for all PNW 2009 coverage.