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| Make |
Steiner-Parker |
| Model |
Synthacon |
| Description |
The rare Steiner-Parker Synthacon is a portable 3-VCO monophonic analog synthesizer with a 4 octave 49-note (C-C) keyboard, 26 knobs, 3 trimmers and 43 switches (including 28 color-coded toggle switches). It has thick wooden end pieces and a steep sloped silver (on earlier models) or black control panel above and quite close to the keys. The Synthacon is said to be quite rare. It is unclear exactly how many were made and sold, though Nyle Steiner has indicated several hundred.
The Synthacon rivals the popular Minimoog with its fat tone, durable construction and stable, stable tuning. The Synthacon has the same circuitry as the modular SynthaSystem.
Interestingly, the Synthacon's filter can self-oscillate like the Minimoog, but has an opposite polarity so it doesn't lose any volume when resonance is increased as do the Minimoog and Odyssey's filters.
Nyle Steiner -
'We made a few with a keyboard that could play arpeggios of whatever notes were held down. As far as I know, we were the first to ever make an arpeggiating keyboard. The idea was to play like the laboriously tuned 8 or 16 step sequencers, but in real time just by playing the notes on the keyboard. It was pretty neat for its time'.
Each of the Synthacon's 3 oscillators can be modulated by a variety of sources:
LFO, EG1, EG2, VCF, sample-and-hold, and other oscillators. White and Pink noise make for brilliant ocean/wind sounds. The VCF filter is a multimode resonant beast switchable between high, band and lowpass filtering. It can be used to filter each of the
oscillators and the noise gens. The shape of the filtering can be controlled by EG2, sample-and-hold, VCO3 or the keyboard. The VCA amp can control the oscillators, noise and filter. And there are (2) envelope generators which can control the VCA, oscillators, noise and filter.
Earlier models of the Synthacon had silver-faced front panels. Later a duophonic upgrade, the 'Two Voice Synthacon' was released. The Synthacon has been used by Earth Wind and Fire, Joe Walsh, the Doors, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa and John Paul Jones
(Led Zeppelin - In the Light).
The Synthacon's architecture is divided into ten sections: Keyboard, Sample and Hold, Trigger Generator, Dual Envelope Generator, VCA, Three Mode Filter, Noise Generator, VCO1, VCO2, VCO3. Interestingly these sections are laid out with the signal path starting with the oscillators on the right and going left, reverse of the typical keyboard layout of most of the monophonic analog keyboards of the day.
The Keyboard section has controls for Tune, Scale, Portamento (Glissando), Range Select (enables the keyboard to play over an 8 octave range), and pitch bend (a knob, not a wheel).
The Sample and Hold section has controls for output level and trigger source, selecting between the keyboard or the trigger generator.
The Trigger Generator has a knob for rate and switches for Manual Gate, Keyboard Gate, and Free Run.
In the Dual Envelope Generator section, each envelope features knobs for Attack Time, Duration Level, and Decay Time, plus switches to select trigger sources (Keyboard or Trigger Generator) and Damp Select (ON/OFF). Env1 is hardwired to control the VCA only. Env2 can be routed to a number of different destinations using the toggle switches below the
various sections. Attack sets the time required for the envelope to build to it's full level.
Duration level sets the level at which the envelope sustains (whenever the input trigger is longer than the attack time). This knob has no effect if the input trigger duration is less than the attack time. When the trigger is shorter than the attack time, the emvelope goes directly into decay when the attack is finished if the damp switch is OFF. If the damp switch is ON,
the envelope goes to 0 very quickly at the end of the trigger time, even if the attack is not finished. Decay sets the amount of time required for the envelope to decay once the attack is finished. If the input trigger is shorter than the attack time, decay is the time to go to 0. If the input trigger is longer than the attack time, then the decay knob sets the time to decay
to the duration level and then after the trigger is released, the time to go to 0. There is also a
common switch for the generation of complex envelopes using both envelopes. When the
Common switch is ON, envelope 2 is combined with envelope 1 and both go to the VCA.
Env 2 is still available at the toggle switches for other modulation duty.
The Voltage Controlled Amplifier(VCA) features a knob for gain and switches allowing input of VCO1, VCO2, VCO3, Noise, and Filter. There is also an on/off switch which allows VCO3 to modulate the overall gain.
From the original Steiner-Parker literature:
'STEINER-PARKER is proud to announce their newest synthesizer, a small, extremely versatile unit designed for live performance and also for studio use, called the SYNTHACON. The SYNTHACON'S extreme versatility is realized through the use of switching to achieve function interconnections. No patch cords are necessary to route signals and voltages from
one area to another. This switching system makes it possible to achieve over 35 billion different sounding set ups, without ever turning a knob or depressing a key on a keyboard!!!'
A full view of the original product description can be seen here:
http://www.synthony.com/vintage/spsynthacon.html
The Voltage Controlled Filter(VCF) is a multimode filter with a knob which switches between Low-Pass, Band-Pass and High-Pass. It features inputs for VCO1, VCO2, VCO3 and Noise. There are knobs for frequency and Resonance(Q). Four toggle switches allow the VCF to be controlled by Keyboard, Envelope 2, Sample and Hold, and VCO3. The filter can also be
bypassed alltogether.
The Noise Generator features a switch for white or pink noise and a knob for level.
The product literature discribes a 'minimum of 17 1/2 octaves', all oscillators (including VCO3) having a wide dynamic range of less than 0.1Hz to greater than 20kHz. All VCOs have knobs for Frequency and Level. VCO1 and VCO2 have an additional fine tune knob.
VCO1 can output sawtooth or sine waveforms and can be controlled by any, all, or none of the following: Keyboard, Envelope 2, VCO3, VCO2, Sample and Hold, and Noise. VCO2 can output sawtooth, square, or pulse waveforms and can be modulated by any, all,
or none of the following: Keyboard, Envelope 2, VCO3, VCO1, Sample and Hold. VCO3 can output sawtooth, square, or pulse waveforms and can be modulated by any, all, or none of the following: Keyboard, Envelope 2, VCO1, VCO2, Sample and Hold, Noise.
VCO 2: Controls - Frequency (course and fine), Level, KBD Track, Output Select (sawtooth/square/pulse), Modulation by any, all, or non of the following: KBD, Env 2, VCO 3, VCO 1, Sample & Hold.
VCO 3: Controls - Frequency, Level, KBD Track, Output select (sawtooth/triangle), Modulation by any, all, or none of the following: KBD, Envelope No. 2, VCO 1, VCO 2, Sample & Hold, Noise.
The Synthacon has a total of four external inputs: through the Sample and Hold, through the Keyboard, in parallel with the Trigger Generator, and as control voltage to the Filter.
From Steiner 1975 product literature -
Back panel outputs include 'DC Ground and all operating voltages, plus keyboard control voltages. These outputs can be used to run optional modules with the SYNTHACON, (such as sequencers, etc.) which are manufactured by STEINER-PARKER as well as many optional units manufactured by other companies (using special adapter cables). Back
panel connectors are also provided to allow connection to an external sound source for
amplifying the SYNTHACON'S output as well as connections for all the external inputs
listed above'. Power requirements: '117 Volts at approximately 15 Watts'.
SPECIFICATIONS -
Polyphony - Monophonic
Oscillators - 3 VCOS (VCO1: sawtooth, sine; VCO2, VCO3: sawtooth, square, or pulse.) plus a White and Pink Noise generator
Effects - Sample and Hold, Portamento
VCF - 2-pole resonant low/band/highpass VCF filter
VCA - ADSR, envelope generator, Trigger Generator
Keyboard - 49 keys w/ controls for Tune, Scale, Portamento, Range Select (8 octave range), and pitch bend
Control - CV/Trigger
Date Made - 1975-1979
This Steiner-Parker Black-face Synthacon is in very good condition, functional, is being checked and calibrated by my technician, and includes a photocopy of the original product sheets, operation manual and service information.
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| Age |
25 year |
| Weight |
10 kg |
| Condition |
Very good |
| Location |
Usa |
| Vat |
Not from a VAT-registered business. But VAT / duty may be due if importing from outside your trade bloc. |
| Quantity |
1 item is available from the owner |
| Options |
User manual : Yes |
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Service manual : Yes |
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First owner : No |
| |
Original boxes : No |
| Plug type |
Usa standard plug |
| Voltage type |
Internal 110 to 220-240V switchable |
| Status |
Item is still available |
| Sale type |
The item is for sale |
| Category |
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| Serial number |
1303P2Y |
| Sphere reference |
# 3187 |
| Statistics |
Created on : 04/11/2003 |
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Changed on : 15/11/2003 |
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Published on : (Not published) |
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Displayed : 1439 time(s) by members and guests |
| Safety |
All electrical items sold in VEMIA are deemed to be trade sales. No warranty of electrical safety is given or implied. Many items are vintage and would not pass current electrical safety standards. It is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that items are safe to use in their future environment - if necessary by using the services of a professional. |
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Prices and conditions  |
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The following section gives you the prices as well as shipment and payment conditions associated with the item. Payment is always requested in gear owner local currency. Converted price is shown for information and converted with Sphere standard currency rate.
Shipment and Payment links gives you access to an extended description of our rating :
| Price |
2178 USD |
| Converted price (1) |
1639.5 GBP |
| Shipment |
International or local shipment to pay |
| Packing costs |
n/a |
| Payment |
Full pre payment needed |
| Warranty |
n/a |
| Counter offer |
The bargain allows counter offers |
| (1) Currency conversion |
Note that conversion rates were last adjusted on 10th October 2025 at 14:22 CET. They are there to give you a rough guide to the bid price in your currency. Please check for a more up-to-date conversion at https://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html. The bid price will be the actual price in pounds (GBP) at the moment the auction closes. This will be roughly converted to your currency for your information.
For technical reasons, we are unable to update the conversion from GBP to Euro during the auction, although it may change at any time. If you are in the euro zone please check the current rate at https://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html
Payments must always be in GBP. For more info please see the FAQ about exchange rates.https://spheremusic.com/Winfaq.asp?Question=91. |
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