Steiner Parker Synthasystem Modular

As you will see, this unit is in MINT shape; I mean Museum quality. I would imagine, for its age, that you will not see another like it. So this is the time to add this wonderful piece to your collection.

This was made in the mid-70's and only a small handful were produced. I doubt you will see many of these go for sale in the upcoming years (if not decade!) and I would be surprised to see one in better shape. This thing can produce some crazy sounds; great for sci-fi type stuff !!! I am parting with it as I don't use it as often as I used to and feel it deserves more usage as it is an amazing synthesizer.

Modules:

Name

Size
(unit
widths)

Description

VCO 1

This module is a Voltage Controlled Oscillator, with knobs for frequency (large knob), fine tune (small knob) and pulse width. There is also 4 knobs to attenuate/mix the output levels of each of the four waveforms (triangle, sine, sawtooth, and pulse. Each waveform has two output jacks each. To control the frequency, there are 3 voltage control inputs and one other variable voltage control input. The variable input has a small screw for adjusting the volts per octave. There are also control inputs for phase reset and for pulse width.

VCO2

This Voltage Controlled Oscillator is a simpler in design with knobs for frequency, fine tune, output level of sine waveform and output level of the sawtooth waveform. Sine and sawtooth are the only waveforms available with this module. 3 voltage control inputs control the frequency, one of them being variable with a small screw adjusting the volts per octave. There is an additional control input for phase reset.

VCO3

Simple Voltage Controlled Oscillator with knobs for frequency and level only. There are 2 fixed control inputs and one variable, as well as a phase reset input. This oscillator was probably designed to be used as a control voltage (LFO).

VCF

This is a multimode Voltage Controlled Filter which can be switched via a knob to low-pass, high-pass, or band-pass. There are also knobs for Frequency and for Resonance (Q). There are three signal inputs and two signal outputs. For control voltages, there are two inputs, one of them variable.

Noise

This is a simple Noise Generator with a knob for level, a switch which chooses either white or pink noise, and two signal outputs.

Balanced
Modulator

This is also known as a Ring modulator with an input for the signal, an input for the carier, and an output for the resulting waveform. There is a knob to adjust the amounts of the signal and the carrier and an adjustment screw (CAR. NULL) for finding the null point. There is also a switch between MULT. and SQUARE.

Input Amp

This is an Input Amplifier with three inputs, including one 1/4-inch jack. There is a knob for level 2 switches for selecting low/high gain, and flat/RIAA equalization.

V.C. Trigger Generator

This is a Voltage Control Trigger Generator module with a knob for both duration and rate. There are buttons for Gate and Manual, as well as a RUN switch. There are voltage control inputs for rate, duration, and triger gate. There are 4 trigger outputs.

Sample
and
Hold

This module seems to be two Sample & Hold modules in one. It has two knobs for level, two signal inputs, two trigger inputs as well as two signal outs. There is also switch labeled COM.

Triple
Envelope
Generator

"Steiner Parker Envelopes are quite unique. Envelopes 1 & 2 are ADS/ADSR. ADS or ADSR determined by the DAMP switch. Envelope 3 is more complex. It can be either ASD/ASDR or ATD/ATDR (T=Time). Time or Sustain is determined by the EXT switch. Also note that time/sustain segment is before decay.

Details
"The "TRIPLE ENVELOPE GEN." module has 3 trigger inputs, and 3 CV outputs labelled:

TRIGGER INPUTS	Com. 1	2	3
ENVELOPE OUTPUTS	Com. 1	2	3

ENVELOPE 1:
(Knobs)	ATTACK	DURATION LEVEL	DECAY	OUTPUT LEVEL
(switches)		QTN	DAMP

ENVELOPE 2:
(Knobs)	ATTACK	DURATION LEVEL	DECAY	OUTPUT LEVEL
(switches)	CON.	QTN	DAMP

ENVELOPE 3:
(Knobs)	ATTACK	DURATION LEVEL	DECAY	OUTPUT LEVEL
(switches)	CON.	EXT	DAMP

"DURATION = Sustain (I will use S=Sustain and D=Decay in notes below)

"The DAMP feature on Env 1 & 2 dampens the release time. With Damp off, the decay time is also the release time. With Damp on the release time is supposed to be turned off. This is similar to the minimoog's release on/off (in reverse), but the damp doesn't work perfectly, so with full decay (about 8 seconds) you get about 1/3 second release time.

"The QTN feature on Env 1 & 2 effects how the envelope responds to a short gate time. With QTN on the Env switches from the attack segment to the decay segment upon release of a note, the decay segment runs from that level. With QTN off the attack segment always completes its full cycle time before the decay then runs its full cycle.

"The EXT feature of ENV 3 determines whether the Duration Time is a fixed duration set by the knob (up to about 3 seconds on mine) or if the Duration Time matches the incoming gate signal.

"The COM. feature on the right side of Env 2 & 3 determines whether the envelope trigger input comes from the respective trigger inputs 2 & 3 or from the Com. 1 trigger input.

"The COM. feature on the left side of Env 2 & 3 determines whether the envelope output goes to the respective output 2 & 3 or to the Com. 1 output. This allows you to layer envelopes to the same destination without an external CV mixer."

[by Mike Kent]

Tuner Monitor

This module has an input, an output and a mono headphone out 1/4-inch jack. There is a 4 position knob selecting between OUT, MON., TUNE, and T. OUT and a small screw marked REF. TUNE.

VCA/mixer

This Voltage Controlled Amplifier module has three inputs, each with its own Gain knob. There are two voltage control inputs, a knob for overall gain, and one signal out.

This module has no name. It contains 4 sets of 4 points multiples, two labled for keyboard voltage. The on/off switch is here, as well as connection for power (+12V, -12V, Ground)

So enough specs, lets look at this amazing piece! Here are the photos of my particular unit. First the Modular cabinet, then the keyboard.

As you can see, this is in INCREDIBLE shape, probably the best available!

Another frontal shot showing some reflections highlighting how clean the panels are.

Top of unit showing how clean tolex is.

Back of the unit, again MINT!

The asset tags for Stony Brook University, the original owner, are still attached to both modular and keyboard.

Serial # SS 1018.

Now to the Keyboard. As stated, this is included as-is and you can choose to take the unit without the Keyboard as it is odd shaped and will be shipped in a separate package. I hope you will want to keep this together with the modular, but that is up to you.

I have not been able to get the keyboard to work using the cable I bought separate from the unit, although I have only tried once. I used the modular with my Arp Sequencer and Roland SH-101 so I didn't need the keyboard so it wasn't important to figure this out. The cable I bought on eBay a couple years ago; it does appear to be for a Steiner Parker because its labeled as such; maybe this was the cable for the original unit that met back up after many years apart? I'll leave this up to you to figure out.

The panel on the keyboard is MINT, the side boards have some very minor scuffing and a couple of small dings; see picture below. The knobs and switch covers are all there and MINT.

Another shot, this time from the back of the Keyboard with my mirror.

Cable I bought on ebay. Label on cable says Steiner Parker.

4 Octave Keyboard Serial # KBD 1114.

Back to For Sale list.