PNW2008: George Mattson Demos the MMM Part 1

YouTube via matrixsynth

"George Mattson demos the Mattson Mini Modular at the Pacific Northwest Synth Gathering 2008."

PNW2008: George Mattson Demos the MMM Part 2


Update:

PNW2008: George Mattson Demos the MMM Part 3

video upload by
YouTube via matrixsynth

"George Mattson demos the Mattson Mini Modular at the Pacific Northwest Synth Gathering 2008"
Note this is the last part of George Mattson's talk. Remember you can click on the PNW2008 link below for all posts on the event including the first two videos on the MMM.

A Visit to the Mattson Mini Modular Studio

I recently paid a visit to George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. Posted here is a collection of pics I took.  Click them for the full size glory, these are big pics.  I'll be posting a few more along with video of George taking me through the new Divison 6 Mattson SQ816 Sequencer (Mattson page here).  George Mattson designed the hardware, while Division-6 did the software.   Along with the Mattson and Division 6 eurorack formats, it will be available as a stand alone desktop sequencer.


This thing is going to be a beast.  If you are in the market for a hardware sequencer you are going to want to check this one out.   One thing I really like about the Mattson SQ816 is the individual gate outs for each step.  You can have a 16 step sequence with the main out driving the main sequence while having each step drive different drum modules.   In essence you get a main melody sequencer as well as 16 drum triggers.  You can of course gate anything including non percussive sounds.   The sequencer also supports MIDI out.

Also pictured is George's giant EML Mattson modular. It consists of vintage EML components and new designs from George Mattson. It is a monster. See the Mattson EML label for more, and don't miss the light show. :)  To the right of the EML Mattson modular and in the other pics you'll see the Mattson Mini Modular in different case formats. A eurorack system sits on a shelf over the long horizontal case.

2nd set of pics here.

CLICK FOR MORE »

34 Years of Syntar

via Juliana Jaeger on Facebook

Today marks the 34 year anniversary of the Performance Music Systems Syntar. It was the first "keytar" with a built in synthesizer.  Before it, keytars were merely controllers for external synths. The prototype was shown by it's creator George Mattson at the 1979 Atlanta NAMM show.

George Mattson currently makes modulars as Mattson Mini Modular.  His latest creation is the Mattson SQ816 Sequencer with Scott Rise of Division-6.  I've seen the sequencer in action and it works great.  It is close to being released.  You can catch a video of it here. 

You can read up on the Syntar at Carbon111's Syntar page here, as well as my email exchange with George Mattson here.  And of course see the Syntar label below for numerous posts that have gone up on the site including video performances. On a side note, you can find Syntar swag at Cafe Press here.

Below is a scan from the Idahonian newspaper from Moscow Idaho (photo credit: Randy Klisek) Oct. 03 1978.  Pictured is George Mattson to the right and his brother Gregg Mattson in their studio also in Moscow, Idaho.  The interesting thing about this photograph is that it was published the day before George came up the idea for the Syntar. The bottom pic is the same but with the caption. Further below is a recent pic of George Mattson playing the first production Syntar via Wikipedia, uploaded by clusternote on Oct 29, 2011, which would place this at the 2011 PNW SynthFest at Shoreline Community College.

Billy Corgan's Ichabod Delivered!

Update:
Some audio below.

Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins received his custom monster modular system aptly named Ichabod this Monday, 9/14/2009. It was hand delivered by the creator of Ichabod, George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular along with Stephen Jones of Synthwood. Note today marks the second anniversary of the Mattson Mini Modular introductory post. Congratulations guys!

Billy Corgan on Ichabod: "It sounds as good as it looks. I'm very excited to see this synthesizer come to life. It's been a real pleasure to work with George MMMattson on this, I highly recommend anyone even casually interested in modular synthesis to go to MattsonMiniModular.com and poke around.

This synth is a dream come true because it embraces all of the sonic dimensions of the old school synthesizers with the upside of modern technology.' - Billy Corgan. Sept 14, 2009

Be sure to click on the images for the full size shots.

Top: Stephen Jones, George Mattson, and Billy Corgan.

Middle: Ichabod patched, lit and ready to go.

Bottom: Ichabod paying tribute to Devil's Tower. A Close Encounter of the Synth Kind!

Again, congrats to Billy Corgan on receiving a beauty of a one of a kind, massive modular system. Congrats to George Mattson on completing such a massive endeavor, and congrats to Stephen for all his support and help. This is a significant moment in synth history.

Special thanks to George: Thanks for wearing the MATRIXSYNTH T! That is too cool. I am not worthy, I am not worthy... :) And more importantly, thanks for making the MMM.

Update: one more pic with Stephen.

Update: three lute patches from Ichabod

Update: some people question the physical stability of Ichabod standing. I've played with it and it is stable. via George Mattson: "The main cabinets are thicker than the satellite cabinets which helps with the stability but, gives an illusion of being thin. The main cabinets are 5.5” deep while the satellites are 3.5” deep. All cabinets are interlocked vertically to create solidity between cabinets and the satellites being angled forward provide a good counter balance. It’s stable."

In the Mattson Dungeon with the Monster Mattson EML System

Doug Lynner, Stephen Golovnin & George Mattson in the sonic dungeon of Mattson Mini Modular studios.

The massive system they are playing is the mighty Mattson EML modular. It consists of vintage EML components and new designs from George Mattson. You can find a ton of pics and info on the Mattson EML channel label here.

George Mattson of course is the man behind Mattson Mini Modular as well as being responsible for the "M" in the Synthrotek MST line.

http://www.synthrotek.com
http://mattsonminimodular.com

Doug Lynner is a Serge maestro and has been featured here on MATRIXSYNTH numerous times with his Mystery Serge.

Stephen Golovnin aka Vsyevolod used to work at Serge back in the early days when they were based out of Los Angeles (above the wig shop here). He performs live with his massive eight panel Serge system and has been present at a number of synth meets.

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"

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.

Performance Music Systems SYNTAR Turns 40

it’s been 40 years since the Performance Music Systems SYNTAR was introduced at the #namm show in #1980 by george mattson - bob #moog even got to try it out #keytar #namm2020 #eml #analog #synthesizer #ymo #rydeen #cover pic.twitter.com/mXVY8ypfP8

— sdf (@sdf_pubnix) January 19, 2020

via @sdf_pubnix

"it’s been 40 years since the Performance Music Systems SYNTAR was introduced at the #namm show in #1980 by george mattson - bob #moog even got to try it out #keytar #namm2020 #eml #analog #synthesizer #ymo #rydeen #cover"

Check out previous posts featuring the Syntar here.

The Syntar was the first self-contained synthesizer keytar. Before the Syntar, keytars were controllers. The Syntar was created by George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular. There was a keyboardless version of the Syntar called the SWAN, or Syntar Without a Neck. A SWAN II was announced back in 2018, under development with Division 6.

Update: you can find a great article on the Syntar at Carbon111.com here, and an interview I did with George Mattson way back in 2006 here.

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.

IDOW & MATRIXSYNTH Modular Pic of the Week - Week 13 Contest Winner!

"Our thirteenth winner of the Modular Pic of the Week contest goes to George Mattson for his 'Ichabod' (photo by Michael Mattson).

George Mattson started investing in synthesizers in 1973. In 1978, he invented the first self-contained keytar, known as the Syntar. Mattson currently manufactures modular systems and custom modular systems as Mattson Mini Modular. Ichabod is a custom system commissioned by Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins.

For more info, please check out Mattson Mini Modular's website: http://www.mattsonminimodular.com

We'd like to give a big thanks and congratulations to George and Michael Mattson for their submission! This is the 13th week of a 30-week contest, and we are looking forward to many more modular photo submissions, so please keep 'em coming! For details on how to submit and what you can win, see this post

.

For more info on the upcoming 'I Dream of Wires' documentary, be sure to see the trailer and IndieGoGo fund raising campaign here.

See the IDOW label for all posts pertaining to the film including the weekly contest winners."

Mattson Mini Modular Interview

You can find the full interview on electronicmusic.com here.

"electronicmusic.com: When did you decide to create your company?

George Mattson: In 2006, I was laid off from the fourth job that just folded out from under me. My job prospects and searches usually resulted in statements of 'you're over qualified for this job.'

I had been lugging around all of my NOS components for the Syntars for the last 25 years and decided to see if I could sell a few to generate some immediate revenue. I sold one to Stephen Jones of Synthwood and one to Jean Michel Jarre. I was trying to sell one to Matrix of http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/ and he said that he had plenty of keyboard synths and was really leaning toward purchasing a modular. He asked me which brand I would recommend? I told him "None of them, I'd rather build my own." Matrix responded with three words that changed my future focus. "Why don't you?"

I really didn't have a response. So, I decided to build a system but, go against the tide and design an entirely new format to suck the air out of these systems and design a full blown modular system that was portable."

I picked up production prototype #1. Here's a couple of shots of it with my new euro-rack modular. George Mattson also built Ichabod for Billy Corgan.

George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular will be presenting at the PNW AES synth meet this coming Wednesday. Doors are open to the public and entry is free.

Synthrotek MST VCO Now Available!

You've seen the videos first here and here. The Synthrotek MST VCO based on George Mattson's Mattson Mini Modular VCO design is now available here. This completes the Synthrotek MST eurorack line of modules and offers a complete system. Previously a George Mattson system was only available in the proprietary Mattson Mini Modular format along with a few individual eurorack modules from Division-6.

The new MST VCO is available in complete, kit, and PCB/Panel form.

Here's what Synthrotek has to say about the release:

"The circle is complete!

We are super stoked to announce that we now have the first very complete Eurorack monophonic voice in both kit and complete form. The VCO was the last of the modules that are essential to this complete voice. Customers can now build or purchase complete this module to either make a very complete monophonic ‘east-coast’ style voice or add this 100% analog beautiful sounding oscillator to their current system. Like most of the other modules in the MST line, the VCO was designed by synth legend George Mattson."

Introducing the Mattson MAXI Modular!

Today marks the six year anniversary of George Mattson deciding to get back into the synth business with the Mattson Mini Modular.   The first public teaser actually went up here on MATRIXSYNTH back on September 15, 2007.  Pictured to the left is a white prototype sitting on top of a Synthesizers.com system from the 2007 PNW Synth Gathering.

As you can guess, people were astounded by the small form factor. Not satisfied with having the smallest format in the modular world, George Mattson has decided it's time to have the largest.  We are talking hardcore BIG with THE FATTEST knobs and jacks you will find on any system.

I had the honor to announce the original Mattson Mini Modular to the world.  I am now proud to present to you his next format, the Mattson MAXI Modular.  Pictured below are the first two modules in the series, the SQ3/6 MONDO Sequencer and the Jet Engine Noise module.  Each module in the series will come in it's own powered cabinet - one module per cabinet. The Noise module can be set to blow dryer modeo for those live hair in the wind moments.  Don't forget the spandex!  Update: George tells me there is a hidden "Popcorn" mode in this dual system.  It plays Gershon Kingsley's synth classic "Popcorn" and doubles as a popcorn maker. The popcorn shoots out of the noise jacks.  You set the fluff, rate, salt, and butter settings with the SQ3/6 sequencer.

PNW2008: George Mattson Demos the MMM Part 3

YouTube via matrixsynth

"George Mattson demos the Mattson Mini Modular at the Pacific Northwest Synth Gathering 2008"

Note this is the last part of George Mattson's talk. Remember you can click on the PNW2008 link below for all posts on the event including the first two videos on the MMM.

Monster Mattson EML Modular to be Featured at the PNW Synthfest

Click the pic for the super size shot. See the Mattson EML label for more. Details on the Pacific Northwest Synthfest can be found on the MMTA (Mostly Modular Trade Association) website: http://www.mostlymodular.com/.

Note the two Mattson Mini Modulars stacked to the right of the EML. For those not familiar with George Mattson, he is the man behind Mattson Mini Modular, and previously the Performance Music Systems Syntar, the first self contained synthesizer keytar. The circuits were built by EML for Performance Music Systems. You can read about the Syntar here on Carbon111's site and in this interview from 2006 - there is a great pic of George and Bob Moog checking out the Syntar. And of course see the Syntar label for more. Many of the circuits George designed for the Syntar made their way into his current Mattson Mini Modular. Many of his new designs made it into his new custom EML modular. It's fascinating to see this come full circle in a sense, with EML to Syntar to MMM to the Mattson EML refurbishment project.

George Mattson Added to Wikipedia

George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular has been added to Wikipedia. Click through for a bit of synthesizer history.

"He is credited with the invention of the Syntar, the first fully self-contained 'keytar', in 1978, and is founder and owner of Mattson Mini Modular."

Pictured here is George with his monster EML system featuring his own custom modules, his original EML 101, and a small Mattson Mini Modular system to the right of the EML.

See the channel labels at the bottom of this post for more on each as well as the Syntar.

One Monster Modular

George Mattson's monster EML modular near completion.

You can see two stacked Mattson Mini Modulars to the right of it. The MMM is based on the same circuits of the Performance Music Systems Syntar, which in turn was based on EML circuits built by EML according to George Mattson's specifications. The Syntar was the first keytar with a built in synthesizer produced by George in 1979. See The Syntar on Carbon111.com for some history as well as this post for an interview with George back in April of 2006.

See the Mattson EML label for more.


Flickr slideshow below. You can click on any image to get to the larger version on Flickr.

MOOG Liberation Funds Syntar

images via this auction.
Here's an interesting auction. A MOOG Liberation being sold to fund a Syntar. Note the Syntar actually predated the MOOG Liberation as the first keytar ever, a interesting bit of synth history. The Syntar featured an amazingly expressive control interface on the neck that has yet to be reproduced and it did sound quite nice. You can read more about the Syntar on Carbon111's excellent Syntar Page as well as this interview here on MATRIXSYNTH.

It's worth noting that the person behind the Syntar was George Mattson who is currently the man behind the new Mattson Mini Modular.

As for this Liberation, here are the details from the auction:
"# This auction is only for a complete MOOG Liberation Analogue Synthesizer
# In good physical and playing condition with checking and dents in the wood
# Please click on the images below to see larger photos to inspect physical condition
# NEW chipforbrains slider caps
# NEW chipforbrains sliders installed by analogsynthservice.com
# Foam sheet over PCB has been removed and PCB has been cleaned!
# Rackmountable power/CV unit
# Control Cable has not nicks or cuts
# Hardshell carrying case
# Print outs of the owners and service manuals
# Shipping is $50 in the USA, $150 elsewhere
# Interested? All offers will be considered. The chipforbrains sliders are meant to be drop in replacements. However CY has stated that some Liberations will behave slightly differently in the Envelope Generators. If you're familiar with the Rogue or the Liberation, you will notice a difference in the behavior.

I am selling my Moog Liberation because I asked George Mattson to build me one of his unfinished SYNTARs that has sat idle nearly 30 years. As you can imagine it took quite a bit of money to convince him to dust off the SYNTAR and continue working on it. Subsequent interest in the SYNTAR has brought along his latest project: the Mattson Mini Modular .. I order two populated cabinets, so you can see, I need to LIBERATE myself of this Moog to pay Mr. Mattson."

The Making of Billy Cogan's Ichabod Photo Gallery

I haven't posted on Ichabod in a while.
For those not familiar with this massive modular system, it was commissioned by Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins from George Mattson of Mattson Mini Modular.  It's a one of a kind system. You can find the full gallery on Facebook here.  Be sure to check out the Ichabod label here on MATRIXSYNTH for more posts including video and audio. I never get enough of that Devils Tower pic. Devils Tower of course was made famous in the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind which featured Philip Dodds & and an ARP 2500.  And of course I do like George's T-Shirt in the second to last pic below on the delivery of Ichabod.  The bottom shot is the classic Ichabod Halloween pic (click through for a super size wallpaper shot).

An interesting side note I believe is that the upcoming Mattson SQ816 Sequencer will be the final module to complete the system.  Click here and scroll for some demos and pics of the SQ816 including the Division 6 eurorack format.

Update via George Mattson: "That is correct. Billy ordered two sequencers.  Billy actually started this and said he wanted a sequencer. I prototyped a simple, single-line 8-channel sequencer on a breadboard over a weekend to show him that I can indeed make one.

Stephen used it in one of his video’s [posted here]

I didn’t want to just make a run-of-the-mill step sequencer and wanted to design and build one that I wanted to have fun with. Hopefully, other people will too. Thus, the SQ816 has been three years in development."

CLICK FOR MORE »

SQ816 Sequencer - Simple First Tests

Published on Feb 11, 2013 JohnLRice·187 videos

"I have a prototype of the new Division 6 eurorack version of George Mattson's SQ816 sequencer. It is very cool and feature rich! In this video I was simply just taking the MIDI out into my Korg MS2000R. Nothing fancy, just getting used to things for now."

SQ816 Sequencer - Simple First Tests Part 2

Published on Feb 16, 2013 JohnLRice·188 videos

"More of the same as last time, me messing around with the a prototype of the new Division 6 eurorack version of George Mattson's SQ816 sequencer. This time I'm using it to run part of my big 5U modular. Nothing fancy, just getting used to things for now."

SQ816 Sequencer - Simple First Tests Part 3

Published on Feb 26, 2013 JohnLRice·190 videos

"Once again, me messing around with the a prototype of the new Division 6 eurorack version of George Mattson's SQ816 sequencer. This one is quick, a single patch I liked that I wanted to share."