The Michigan Synth Works SY-1 Drum synth is a full size, exact replica of the Pearl SY-1 Syncussion. Every detail has been replicated from the original board layouts to the mechanical construction. The assembled version has been modernized to use current manufacturing processes while still using the original board layouts and all parts have been carefully chosen to match the behavior of the original. Case, boards, and I/O Boards are all interchangeable with the original Pearl device. Assembled versions come with the metal case as standard.
The Syncussion:
The Syncussion is a 2 voice drum synthesizer with two oscillators per voice and six different modes. Five modes mix and modulate the oscillators plus a noise channel. Each voice has controls for TUNE, DECAY, SWEEP amount, SWEEP Speed, Sweep up/off/down, LFO amount, and LFO speed, LFO Shape (Tri or Square), and sample and hold
OSC Modes:
A: One oscillator sound, at this position the regular drum synthesizer sweep can be effected.
B. Sound of one oscillator adjusting the other osciIIator frequency; produces a metallic sound.
C. Sound of a mix of two oscillator outputs; sound is similar to that of a vibraphone.
D. Sound of mix of two oscillator outputs; produces a low to high sweep and is done by hitting pad softly or hard; there is no connection to SWEEP SPEED and SWEEP RANGE
E. Sound of one oscillator adjusting the other oscillator frequency with a mix of noise; produces a sound similar to hitting thin metal.
F. Sound of only noise
Triggering:
The SY-1 is designed to be triggered via drum triggers which output a very low pulse signal. Modern 5V trigger signals (v-trig) can be used, how it i recommended experimenting with simple audio samples or more dynamic triggers. One of the more interesting features of the Syncussion is the dynamic response to the drum triggers and just sending a straight pulse which maxes out the trigger inputs does not do the device justice.
Tuning:
The original SY-1 uses a tune pedal to adjust the pitch of both oscillators while playing. This functionality has been retained in the original configuration but is of limited use without the pedal. The expanded version DOES have per voice CV control (1v/Oct) as well as the MIDI
This Michigan Synth Works SY-1 is the MIDI version:
3. MIDI equipped I/O Configuration: This is the same as the expanded i/o configuration but adds MIDI in place of the MOD input. The MIDI responds to velocity to gate level and pitch for each channel. 2 TRS-TS and TRS MIDI cables are included
Trig 1,2 In - MIDI In - Mute - Tune 1,2 CV in - Output 1, 2
MIDI Functions:
16 Tigger levels controlled by MIDI Velocity: The Sense potentiometers can be used to further adjust the trigger level from the MIDI to CV converter. Plugging a jack into the trigger input will override the MIDI generated trigger
4 Octave pitch: The pitch CV functions as an offset to the Pitch slider so it is always a relative pitch, not absolute pitch. Plugging a jack into the Tune input will override the MIDI generated Pitch
MIDI Pitchbend
Modwheel to Filter frequency: 4V (50%) possible modulation range to filter frequency as an offset to the filter frequency slider. This can be used to extend the range of the filter up or down beyond what is possible with the slider alone
MIDI Learn: Pressing the sense potentiometer twice quickly will make that trigger LED for that channel flash, the MIDI channel will be set for that voice to the next received MIDI notes channel
Firmware update: Power the SY-1 with the CH1 Sense potentiometer press, the trigger LEDs will alternate and you will hear the channels sound indicating that the device is ready to receive the update. Send the SYSEX file using a midi utility of your choice, the trigger 1 LED will flash and the voice will sound indicating that it is receiving data. When complete, the trigger LEDS will alternate. Reboot the device to finish the update
Whats included:
SY-1 Synthesizer
Universal Power adapter (100-240V, 12V DC out, Tip Positive)
MIDI I/O: 2x 1.5m TRS 1/4" Phone to 2x TS 1/4" Phone, 1x 1.5M 3.5mm TRS to MIDI, 1x TRS 3.5mm to 1/4" TR
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:30 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
Product Overview
The Michigan Synth Works SY-1 Drum synth is a full size, exact replica of the Pearl SY-1 Syncussion. Every detail has been replicated from the original board layouts to the mechanical construction. The assembled version has been modernized to use current manufacturing processes while still using the original board layouts and all parts have been carefully chosen to match the behavior of the original. Case, boards, and I/O Boards are all interchangeable with the original Pearl device. Assembled versions come with the metal case as standard.
The Syncussion:
The Syncussion is a 2 voice drum synthesizer with two oscillators per voice and six different modes. Five modes mix and modulate the oscillators plus a noise channel. Each voice has controls for TUNE, DECAY, SWEEP amount, SWEEP Speed, Sweep up/off/down, LFO amount, and LFO speed, LFO Shape (Tri or Square), and sample and hold
OSC Modes:
A: One oscillator sound, at this position the regular drum synthesizer sweep can be effected.
B. Sound of one oscillator adjusting the other osciIIator frequency; produces a metallic sound.
C. Sound of a mix of two oscillator outputs; sound is similar to that of a vibraphone.
D. Sound of mix of two oscillator outputs; produces a low to high sweep and is done by hitting pad softly or hard; there is no connection to SWEEP SPEED and SWEEP RANGE
E. Sound of one oscillator adjusting the other oscillator frequency with a mix of noise; produces a sound similar to hitting thin metal.
F. Sound of only noise
Triggering:
The SY-1 is designed to be triggered via drum triggers which output a very low pulse signal. Modern 5V trigger signals (v-trig) can be used, how it i recommended experimenting with simple audio samples or more dynamic triggers. One of the more interesting features of the Syncussion is the dynamic response to the drum triggers and just sending a straight pulse which maxes out the trigger inputs does not do the device justice.
Tuning:
The original SY-1 uses a tune pedal to adjust the pitch of both oscillators while playing. This functionality has been retained in the original configuration but is of limited use without the pedal. The expanded version DOES have per voice CV control (1v/Oct) as well as the MIDI
This Michigan Synth Works SY-1 is the MIDI version:
3. MIDI equipped I/O Configuration: This is the same as the expanded i/o configuration but adds MIDI in place of the MOD input. The MIDI responds to velocity to gate level and pitch for each channel. 2 TRS-TS and TRS MIDI cables are included
Trig 1,2 In - MIDI In - Mute - Tune 1,2 CV in - Output 1, 2
MIDI Functions:
16 Tigger levels controlled by MIDI Velocity: The Sense potentiometers can be used to further adjust the trigger level from the MIDI to CV converter. Plugging a jack into the trigger input will override the MIDI generated trigger
4 Octave pitch: The pitch CV functions as an offset to the Pitch slider so it is always a relative pitch, not absolute pitch. Plugging a jack into the Tune input will override the MIDI generated Pitch
MIDI Pitchbend
Modwheel to Filter frequency: 4V (50%) possible modulation range to filter frequency as an offset to the filter frequency slider. This can be used to extend the range of the filter up or down beyond what is possible with the slider alone
MIDI Learn: Pressing the sense potentiometer twice quickly will make that trigger LED for that channel flash, the MIDI channel will be set for that voice to the next received MIDI notes channel
Firmware update: Power the SY-1 with the CH1 Sense potentiometer press, the trigger LEDs will alternate and you will hear the channels sound indicating that the device is ready to receive the update. Send the SYSEX file using a midi utility of your choice, the trigger 1 LED will flash and the voice will sound indicating that it is receiving data. When complete, the trigger LEDS will alternate. Reboot the device to finish the update
Technical Specs
Shipping Details
How much is my shipping?
Shipping is automatically calculated before you submit your payment information. Simply add items to your cart and proceed to the checkout page, where you'll be offered shipping options and their prices. In the UK it's normally around £4 for order values under £150, and free above that. Shipping to mainland EU is typically between £7 and £20, depending on the shipping method and the size and weight of the order.
Do you ship to my country?
Almost certainly - the site will give you an estimate of shipping costs if you add an item to the cart and then enter your country and postcode. If you have specific requirements (such as if you prefer UPS over FedEx, for example) then let us know in advance and we'll try to work something out for you.
Shipping methods
We use a combination of Parcelforce, DPD, Royal Mail and UPS for the UK, and for international orders it's either Royal Mail, UPS, DHL or FedEx depending on where you are in the world. If you have a particular preference then try to let us know BEFORE you order so we can look into it for you. Please note that there may occasionally be additional shipping charges if you live in a remote area, depending on what surcharges are applied by the shipper. We'll get in touch to discuss this with you in such cases.
Dispatch times
For UK orders, we normally dispatch the same working day if we get the order before 15:00. If you have a really urgent situation then of course drop us an email before ordering and we'll always do our absolute best to accommodate you.
For international orders, we normally dispatch the same day if we get the order before 13:00 but again, occasionally it might be the next day before we can send it out, and sometimes FedEx or UPS may come a little earlier than scheduled which would also push an order into the next day.
Shipping times
Since April 2020 the couriers we use have suspended guarantees for shipping times, so even though we're paying them for priority services - 24-48 hours for most of the world - in practice it's often an extra day on top and sometimes it can be longer.
There is absolutely nothing we can do about this unfortunately. If you are outside the UK and it's a life-or-death situation where you absolutely MUST have that passive mult for the next day then... it may be better to find a local supplier.
Saturday shipping
If you're in the UK and you order before 15:30 on a Friday then we can send something for a Saturday delivery (NB: this applies to UK mainland addresses only). The success rate with DPD is about 95% so it's worth a punt most of the time. Please note that if you select Saturday shipping on an order placed earlier in the week, we'll wait until Friday to ship it.
Pre-orders
If a product is listed as a pre-order, it means we've ordered it from the supplier but it's not physically in stock yet. The product listing will include an estimated shipping date based on the best information we have from the supplier, but do bear in mind this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed date.
If you place an order containing a mixture of in-stock and pre-order items, we'll normally hold off on shipping anything until the pre-order item(s) have arrived, rather than splitting it into multiple shipments. If you need the in-stock items sooner, we'd recommend placing separate orders. As always, please get in touch if you have questions.
