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Default FS: Steiner 2-Voice Synthacon, Steiner EVI Electronic Valve Instrument and Steiner Microcon Synthesizer

FS: Steiner 2-Voice Synthacon, Steiner EVI Electronic Valve Instrument and
Steiner Microcon Synthesizer


For sale (fixed price listing) on eBay, ending Friday, September 10, at
10:45 PM EDT (7:45 PM PDT):



ORIGINAL STEINER SYNTHACON 2-VOICE SYNTHESIZER, EVI (ELECTRONIC VALVE
INSTRUMENT) W/CASE, STEINER MICROCON SYNTH MODULE

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=3745834077



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Amazing full original control voltage Steiner Electronic Valve Instrument
with Steiner Synthacon 2-Voice Synthesizer without Keyboard and Microcon
Synthesizer Modules.

This Steiner EVI has been personally tweaked and autographed by the
inventor, Nyle Steiner, within the past year.

Includes a rare Steiner 2-Voice Synthacon Synthesizer without keyboard,
connection cables and Steiner Microcon Synthesizer Module.

For those unfamiliar with Nyle Steiner here is a short bio.

Nyle originally conceived of the concept of a brass-style electronic
synthesizer in the 1960's. He began prototyping the concept in the early
70's and in 1975 Nyle completed his first playable electric valve
instrument- the 'Steiner Horn'. A woodwind version was developed soon after.
Around 1971, Nyle started working on this new idea. The prototype was
finished about a year later, while it was not much to look at, it worked.
The first production models were offered in 1975 with the rest of the
Steiner-Parker product line. According to Mr. Steiner, around 200 were
produced between 1975 and 1979. Most of them were sold to University
electronic music departments and pop groups (one of the first systems was
sold to Earth, Wind and Fire).

"I developed my own transducer using whatever- I tried a lot of things out.
A lot of the main parts I had to build myself. The first one was just a
switch. You blew and it turned on and off - just like pressing a key. Later
I built a proportional transducer."

"The EVI (trumpet like interface) was a shoot off from the modular synths
etc. At first I was not real serious about the EVI because I did not know
how practical it would actually be. I started experimenting with it because
I knew how to make the circuit work and I also could not play keyboard very
well. It was not until later after a lot of experimenting that I realized
that the EVI was worth really putting some energy into. I started
experimenting with the EVI in the very early 70's but in about 1978 or so,
it had finally evolved into an instrument that could be used at a
professional level." - Nyle Steiner

How did they work? The first EVIs had a dedicated synthesizer module. It
looked to be a single oscillator synthesizer with very simple controls (5
knobs and 4 switches). The first EVIs outputted a gate and a single control
voltage. The gate was triggered by an air pressure sensor in the mouthpiece.
Air was not actually blown through the instrument but through the
mouthpiece, which measured the air pressure inside. Just like a trumpet, the
harder you blew, the more air pressure was registered. The EVI outputted
control voltage based on the keys which were depressed and the position of
the cylinder at the end of the instrument. A combination of rotating the
cylinder and thumb rollers selected the octave and the notes were selected
by the three springed switches on top, positioned similar to a trumpet
valves.

His instruments (the EVI and EWI) were well accepted by several top
musicians including Michael Brecker. They were each hand made by Nyle
Steiner himself.

In the mid 1970's, Nyle set up a small Salt Lake City Utah based synthesizer
company named Steiner-Parker. The company produced various analog synths as
well as the original Steiner EVI from approximately 1975 to 1980. In 1980,
Nyle won the Linz prize for his EVI. In designing the original EVI, Nyle
comments
"I found it was best to design my own synthesizer. With MIDI and some of the
more advanced designs, there are some synthesizers that work pretty well
with it without having to modify them, but it used to be that I had to
modify the synthesizers so much that I just gave up and designed my own."

By the time Steiner-Parker disolved in 1979, many new and improved features
had been incorporated into the EVI, including the ouput of control voltage
from the air sensor(for volume), the "bite sensor" (for portamento), a
vibrato sensor and even a pitch bending plate retrofitted later by Steiner.
Also by the end of the 70's several interfaces had been developed to use the
Steiner (as it was called by then) EVI with other commercially available
synths and keyboards.

Nyle Steiner eventually took his designs to Crumar which produced the Crumar
EVI which debuted in 1980. Crumar was reported to have sold around 500 of
these units. The Steiner company hooked up with Crumar at the end of the
'70s and Crumar marketed the EVI for a while.

Around this time, Nyle's career was beginning to take some new turns. In
1979 he worked on the movie "Apocalypse Now" while commuting from Salt Lake
City. He demonstrate the EVI for the producers and they really liked the
sound. Nyle soon after moved to California and began to make a career for
himself playing in the studios.

The rare Steiner-Parker Synthacon is a portable 3-VCO 2-voice analog
synthesizer with 26 knobs, 3 trimmers and 43 switches (including 28
color-coded toggle switches). It has thick wooden end pieces and a steep
sloped black control panel. 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 2-voice version, and especially without the
keyboard is extremely unusual.

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
arpegiating 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
layed 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, Keyb
oard 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 literatu
"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 he
http://www.synthony.com/vintage/spsynthacon.html

The Voltage Controlled Filter(VCF) is a multimode filter with a know 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".

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:



Polyphony - Monophonic
Oscillators - 3 VCOS (VCO1: sawtooth, sine; VCO2, VCO3: sawtooth, square, or
pulse.)
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


"Most of the film composers use EVI in one way or another - it's really good
as an expressive melody instrument; the vibrato flexibility, the bending -
it's really easy to play that way. The Steiner Microcon is a complete
synthesizer (less keyboard) in a single module. It has its own power supply,
VCO, LFO, VCF and envelope generator, thereby combining all of the most
needed parts of a synthesizer in one unit. It can be used with synthesizer
accessories such as sequencers, electronic valve instruments, guitar
slave-drivers, pitch followers, or with a keyboard. Multiple units can be
combined with a guitar controller to form full polyphonic synthesizers at a
fraction of the cost normally expected. Combined with a regular synthesizer,
it adds an extra 'voice' to your present system. "

"Oscillator stability and tracking are the best that state of the art will
allow. Numerous inputs and outputs are available on the front and top of the
unit. Other signals available inside can be brought out for special
applications, and connected to other equipment in a variety of useful ways."

The Microcon truly packs alot of synthesizer into a small space (which looks
to be about 4-inches by 6-inches). There are 8 knobs and 6 switches. The VCO
has knobs for course and fine tuning and switches allowing selection of
"three waveforms". The LFO has knobs for rate and level and a switch for
beat and is available for vibrato. The VCF has knobs for frequency and gain,
as well as a switch for resonance. The Envelope Generator has knobs for
attack and decay, as well as a switches to enable damp (a quick release
decay) and sustain. The VCA is described as a "trigger controlled audio
gate". Connections include positive and negative trigger out, VC filter in,
calibrated and uncalibrated voltage control ins, a signal out (which "can be
paralleled"), and a trigger in. According to the product literature the
"beat function causes the VCO to sound like to sound like two oscillators
beating together."

The Microcon was rumored to be used as the synthesizer innards of the
Hagstrom Patch 2000 guitar synthesizer.

Much more information about the EVI and other wind instruments can be found
at the EVI - EWI Site.

This package includes the autographed Steiner EVI in the original plush case
w/key, the Steiner Synthacon 2-Voice Synthesizer (black-face) without
keyboard, one single oscillator Steiner Microcon synthesizer expander
modules, 2 sets of connection cables, and EVI and Synthacon operation
manuals and schematics.


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All equipment listed here is in very good condition, and is fully
functional. Includes EVI and Synthacon operation manuals and schematics.
Shipping for the EVI, Synthacon and Microcons is estimated at $35 within the
US.
Shipping for the package overseas by FedEx International Economy will be in
the $300 range.



http://www.markglinsky.com/pics/SteinerEVI1.jpg
http://www.markglinsky.com/pics/SteinerEVI2.jpg
http://www.markglinsky.com/pics/SteinerEVI3.jpg
http://www.markglinsky.com/pics/SteinerMicrocon.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Synthacon2V1.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Synthacon2V2.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Synthacon2V3.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Synthacon2V4.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Synthacon2V4.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Synthacon2V5.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Synthacon2V6.jpg
http://www.manualmanor.50megs.com/pics/Synthacon2V7.jpg



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