Steiner Parker Synthacon Model 174 1975-1979 Like Minimoog / ARP Odyssey Silverface Wood Sides

Steiner Parker Synthacon Model 174 1975-1979 Like Minimoog / ARP Odyssey Silverface Wood Sides

Here is an extremely rare Steiner Parker Synthacon Analog Synthesizer. The serial number on back is 1270 and there is also a hand written sharpie "1270A" on the bottom of the unit. 

I picked this up locally here in Salt Lake City a little while ago. These Steiner Parker synths were made right here in SLC and as far as I know this unit has never left the state of Utah, but I do not know it's history so I cannot say for sure. The guy I got it from said he got it from a friend who claimed this may have been a prototype. I really don't know. All keys are working (check out video time 11:55) to show all notes from keys. This synth is pretty amazing but way beyond me as far as putting it to good use and making the most of it. I've uploaded a video here for you to check out the sounds this synth can make. Of course this video of sounds is only the tip of the iceberg as far as what this thing is capable of. I do have another video or two on youtube if you search the Steiner Parker Synthacon from user johnnyangel69.

I do not have a case for this unit but this item will be packaged extremely well.

Wikipedia says:

Steiner-Parker Synthacon

Manufacturer Steiner-Parker
• Dates 1975–1979
• Technical specifications
• Polyphony monophonic
• Timbrality monotimbral
• Oscillator 3 VCO
• Synthesis type analog subtractive
• Filter 2-pole resonant low-pass
• high-pass
• band-pass
• Attenuator 2 ADSR envelope generators
• Effects sample and hold, portamento
• Input/output
• Keyboard 49 keys
• External control CV/Gate

The Steiner-Parker Synthacon is a monophonic analog synthesizer that was built between 1975 and 1979 by Steiner-Parker, a Salt Lake City-based synthesizer manufacturer. It was introduced as a competitor to other analog synthesizers, like the Minimoog and ARP Odyssey.

The Synthacon includes three voltage-controlled oscillators, a two-pole resonant Sallen Key filter, two ADSR envelope generators, a pink and white noise generator, and a 49-key keyboard. While the Synthacon was not a modular system, signal routing could be achieved through a series of switches. Although Steiner-Parker only sold a few hundred units, the filter of the Synthacon is still in use in modern modular synthesizers and a modern analog mono synthesizer, the Arturia MiniBrute.

Development
The Synthacon was first released in 1975 as a more affordable competitor to the Minimoog and ARP Odyssey. It uses the same circuitry as Steiner-Parker's modular synthesizer of the same period, the SynthaSystem. The Synthacon's filter was designed by company co-founder Nyle Steiner.

Synthesis model
The Synthacon is a monophonic analog synthesizer. It uses three voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) as sound sources. One oscillator could generate sine or sawtooth waves, and the other two could each generate either sawtooth, pulse, or triangle waves. The synthesizer was also capable of generating white and pink noise. Unlike those on the Minimoog, the oscillator controls on the Synthacon were placed on the right side of the sloped control panel; the Minimoog placed them on the left side.

The filter for the Synthacon, designed by Nyle Steiner, is a 12db/octave multimode filter capable of functioning as a resonant low-pass filter, a high-pass filter, or a band-pass filter. Like the contemporary Minimoog filter, the Steiner-Parker filter is capable of self-oscillation. Because the filter uses positive feedback, increasing the resonance does not cause the audio output to lose amplitude, as it does in the Minimoog and other analog synthesizers.

Several types of modulation are available on the Synthacon. Each oscillator can be modulated against the second ADSR envelope, another VCO, the keyboard, the noise generator, or the sample-and-hold effect. The VCF can also be modulated by the second ADSR envelope, the keyboard, one of the VCOs, or the sample-and-hold. The VCA is modulated by the first ADSR envelope.

Legacy
The Synthacon's filter circuit, often referred to as a Steiner filter, can be found in contemporary modular synthesizer designs due to its low cost and relative ease of construction. The Arturia MiniBrute uses a 12db/octave multimode filter based on the Steiner-Parker Synthacon filter. The filter for the MiniBrute was designed by Yves Usson under guidance from Nyle Steiner. Usson insisted on the Steiner-Parker filter because of its versatility and its distinctive sound, which separates it from the 24db/octave filter used for synthesizers such as the Minimoog.

Sales
According to designer Nyle Steiner, "several hundred Synthacons were made and sold".
The Synthacon is considered to be relatively rare.

While researching the Synthacon I was only able to find one other unit listed at this time. It is one of the later models with the blackface. The seller is asking $10,899 for their fully restored unit. I was able to find 3 other Synthacons that have sold in the past: one in 2012, one in 2013 and one in 2015. The last photo will show you what the last Steiner Parker Synthacon sold for ($5750 + $35 shipping in 2015). It should also be noted that the unit sold was listed as is and not a refurbished unit with no video given or shown. That should give you a glimpse at the scarcity and value of these units.

Selling as is and as shown. 
This is a pre-owned, vintage unit that has seen some use. I do not know the full history of this unit. Any cleaning, repairs, or adjustments needed will be the buyers responsibility. 

International buyers are responsible for any taxes, duties, fees etc.