MSW SY-1 Analog Drum Synthesizer

The Pearl Syncussion, resurrected.

The MSW SY-1 is a full-size, exact replica of the Pearl SY-1 Syncussion, one of the rarest and most sought-after analog drum synthesizers ever made. Every detail has been replicated, from the original board layouts to the mechanical construction, modernized for current manufacturing with parts carefully chosen to match the behavior of the original. Case, boards and I/O boards are all interchangeable with an original Pearl unit.

Assembled units ship with the metal back as standard.

The Syncussion

Two drum voices, each with two oscillators and six modes: five modes mix and modulate the oscillators, plus a noise channel. Each voice has controls for tune, decay, sweep amount, sweep speed, sweep direction, LFO amount, LFO speed, LFO shape (triangle or square) and sample and hold.

Oscillator modes

• A: One oscillator, with the classic drum synthesizer sweep
• B: One oscillator modulating the other's frequency, for metallic tones
• C: A mix of both oscillators, close to a vibraphone
• D: Both oscillators with a low-to-high sweep driven by how hard the pad is hit
• E: Cross-modulated oscillators mixed with noise, like striking thin metal
• F: Noise only

Triggering and control

The SY-1 is designed for drum triggers with a very low pulse signal. Modern 5V v-trig signals work, but the dynamic response is where the Syncussion truly shines, so experiment with audio samples or dynamic triggers rather than flat pulses.

These units are the MIDI-equipped I/O configuration: per-voice CV control (1V/oct), plus MIDI in with velocity controlling trigger level and pitch for each channel. TRS-TS and TRS MIDI cables are included.