SYNTHR SYNTHR3 User manual

The SYNTHR3
Modern semi-modular synthesizer with three-
way paraphony, duophony, MIDI control,
arpeggiator, integrated sequencer, and
modulation matrix storage.

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SYNTHR3 Manuel V1.01 EN
User Manual

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SYNTHR3 Manuel V1.01 EN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOME ________________________________________________________________________4
CONNECTIONS _____________________________________________________________________5
WARNING_________________________________________________________________________5
INTRODUCTION ____________________________________________________________________5
FIRST VISIT .....................................................................................................................................................................6
MORE DETAILS _____________________________________________________________________7
THE SOURCES ................................................................................................................................................................7
MIXER ............................................................................................................................................................................8
FILTERS ..........................................................................................................................................................................8
MODULATIONS............................................................................................................................................................10
OUTPUTS ________________________________________________________________________12
THE PLAY MODES __________________________________________________________________13
MONOPHONIC Mode filter in parallel.........................................................................................................................13
MONOPHONIC Mode serial filter ................................................................................................................................14
DUOPHONIC Mode......................................................................................................................................................15
PARAPHONIC 1 Mode..................................................................................................................................................16
PARAPHONIC 2 Mode..................................................................................................................................................17
ARPEGIATOR Mode .....................................................................................................................................................18
STEP SEQUENCER Mode ..............................................................................................................................................18
CONTROLLER MIDI USAGES __________________________________________________________18
MIDI CONTROLLER FUNCTIONS...................................................................................................................................19
POWER UP ...................................................................................................................................................................19
Operating Mode ..........................................................................................................................................................20
OTHERSfUnctions ........................................................................................................................................................27
APPENDIX ________________________________________________________________________29
APPENDIX 1 : SYNTHR3 DIAGRAM...............................................................................................................................30
APPENDIX 2 : MIDI KEYBOARD ....................................................................................................................................31
APPENDIX 3 : arpègGIO MODES ..................................................................................................................................32
APPENDIX 4 : Presets...................................................................................................................................................33
APPENDIX 5 : MIDI CONTROLLER DIAGRAM ...............................................................................................................34
Annexe 6 : HOW TO CHANGE A FILTER .......................................................................................................................35
APPENDIX 7 : REAR FACE.............................................................................................................................................36
APPENDIX 8 : OUTSIDE CLEANING...............................................................................................................................36
PATCH TEMPLATE _________________________________________________________________37

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SYNTHR3 Manuel V1.01 EN
WELCOME
Thank you for purchasing the SYNTHR3, and thus supporting French electronic music making.
This project was born from the need of a musician to have something else and from my imagination. A brilliant developer
friend was quickly joined to this project, also participating in the diffusion of electronics for music. I would like to thank Jean-
Luc Lartigue (http://www.ozoe.fr) without whom this project would not have been possible.
I thank our master to all, Yves Usson who is always available to give his technical advice.
I would like to thank Laurent Cartaux for his precious help on the beautiful SYNTHR3 cabinet.
And I will finish my thanks for my wife who gave me complete freedom on long hours of development and tuning.
The very small company SynthR SAS was born from this project in order to support you as best as possible.
I strongly advise you to read this manual at least once if you don't want to have any surprises such as not hearing anything
coming out.
We wish you long hours of research and music for your greatest pleasure.
https:// www.synthr.fr
Rémy WASSELIN

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SYNTHR3 Manuel V1.01 EN
CONNECTIONS
Rear:
Channel 1, Channel 2 outputs: Jack 6.35 line level
CV1, CV2 outputs: 3.5mm jack -1V to +7V with master tune at 440Hz or -2V to +6V or 0V to 8V, impedance 1Kohm
Gate 1, Gate 2 outputs: Jack 3.5mm 0-5V impedance 1Kohm
Clock: Jack 3.5mm TTL compatible clock available in Arpeggiator and Sequencer mode, 0-5V, impedance 1Kohm
Mains socket: IEC - 240V AC 50Hz only, fitted with a 315mA fuse.
Front :
USB type B socket: 32-bit processor firmware update and MIDI software control
MIDI IN Din 5-pin: Keyboard or sequencer input.
MIDI THRU Din 5-pin: Repeat MIDI IN jack
MIDI Polychain Din 5-pin: Used to connect multiple SYNTHR3s to increase polyphony.
Dimensions: 625mm*485mm*225mm
Weight: 14 kg
Power consumption: 40 VA
WARNING
Although you can open the rear panel to change a filter or other module, it is forbidden to interfere with the power supply,
as the presence of electrical voltage may cause a risk of electric shock.
Use a standard power cord.
INTRODUCTION
The SYNTHR3 is an analog synthesizer with subtractive synthesis and MIDI controls.
Like any analog synthesizer whose VCOs are not digitally controlled, it is susceptible to frequency drift due to excessive
temperature and beats between VCOs are audible. An internal tuning fork allows you to check the VCOs' timing.
In a historical modular synthesizer, the patches are made by cables that connect the modules together. For the SYNTHR3, no
cables, but push buttons that connect the modules together. This makes the connections between modules more visible,
more legible. These push buttons are digital switches and can therefore be stored in profiles called "Patch".
The modular side is preserved by the use of memory patches and by the possibility of exchanging certain modules by the user
by opening the back panel. In particular, several filters are available.
Although pre-wired, the choice of modulations remains important.
The MIDI control is done through a MIDI to CV and Gate converter which receives a MIDI master keyboard.
In order to take advantage of the SYNTHR3's features, this keyboard must have: pitch bend, modulation wheel, aftertouch
and velocity as well as a sustain pedal.
The MIDI converter can also be controlled by a DAW software via the USB port.
The Arpeggiator part and the Sequencer part of the SYNTHR3 will be able to receive via the DIN socket a MIDI clock and the
associated "Sync 24" commands.

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SYNTHR3 Manuel V1.01 EN
FIRST VISIT
The SYNTHR3 consists from left to right of :
The oscillator section consists of 3 VCOs. VCOs 1 and 2 are identical except that VCO2 can synchronize with VCO1.
VCO3 does not have a PW modulation section, but has an additional waveform, it can synchronize to VCO1 as well
and above all can be transformed into an LFO (LFO1). This section is reinforced by a sub-oscillator of the VCO1
comprising 3 waveforms at octave -1 and one at octave -2.
A modulation section with a digital LFO (LFO2) comprising 16 modifiable waveforms. A Sample and Hold and a noise
generator.
An ensemble MIXER which allows to send each of the 6 available sources to the VCF1 or / and depending on the
playing modes, the VCF2.
The filter section with a low-pass VCF1 (LP) and a low-pass or multimode VCF2 *
Underneath are two envelope generators, one serving as modulation for the VCOs and LFO2, the other dedicated to
the filters.
At the bottom there is a general volume and a frequency tuning over more or less an octave.
Finally on the right are 2 VCAs with an envelope generator whose role will be specified according to the play mode.
A Ring Modulator between VCO1 and a mixer of VCO2 and VCO3.
switchable portamento for VCO1 and VCO2.
We went around the analog part and we arrive on the MIDI controller with its 4 lines screen that will allow us to control the
different playing modes, the MIDI channel if needed, the Tuning fork, to save "patches" and to activate the internal
Arpeggiator as well as the internal Sequencer. This MIDI controller has no action on the audio synthesis.

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SYNTHR3 Manuel V1.01 EN
MORE DETAILS
THE SOURCES
VCO1 :
Octave selector on + or - 2 octaves,
Fine tuning on + or - 5 semitones,
Keyboard monitoring via MIDI to CV including the pitch wheel of + or - 1 tone.
Pulse width adjustment (PW) 10 to 90%.
Frequency modulation by:
Adjustable input 1: Aftertouch (if the keyboard delivers it) or Modulation
Envelope or LFO2.
Adjustable input 2: LFO1 or Sample and Hold or VCO2 (Cross modulation).
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM):
Adjustable input 1: Aftertouch (if the keyboard delivers it) or Modulation
Envelope or LFO2.
Adjustable input 2: LFO1 or VCO2 (Cross modulation).
Simultaneous outputs: Triangle, Sawtooth, Pulse.
VCO2 :
Octave selector on + or - 2 octaves,
Fine tuning on + or - 5 semitones,
Keyboard monitoring via MIDI to CV including the pitch wheel of + or - 1 tone.
Synchronization on VCO1
Pulse width adjustment (PW) 10 to 90%.
Frequency modulation by:
Adjustable input 1: Aftertouch (if the keyboard delivers it) or Modulation
Envelope or LFO2.
Adjustable input 2: LFO1 or Sample and Hold or VCO2 (Cross modulation).
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM):
Adjustable input 1: Aftertouch (if the keyboard delivers it) or Modulation
Envelope or LFO2.
Adjustable input 2: LFO1 or VCO2 (Cross modulation).
Simultaneous outputs: Triangle, Sawtooth, Pulse.
VCO3 (Mode VCO)
Octave selector on + or - 2 octaves,
Fine tuning on + or - 5 semitones,
Keyboard monitoring via MIDI to CV including the pitch
wheel of + or - 1 tone.
Synchronization on VCO1 (cancel LFO mode)
Frequency modulation by ajustable input: Aftertouch or
modulation Envelope or LFO2.
Simultaneous outputs: Triangle, Sawtooth, Reverse
Sawtooth, Square

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SYNTHR3 Manuel V1.01 EN
SUB :
Output at octave -1 of the VCO1: Triangle, Sawtooth, Square.
Output at octave -2 of VCO1: Square
NOISE
White noise
Pink noise
Ring Modulator
Between permanent VCO1 and mix of VCO2 or /and VCO3.
MIXER
Each of the above sources can be sent on VCF1 and / or the VCF2 in MONO and
PARAPHONIC mode 1
For the other DUOPHONIC, ARPEGIATOR, SEQUENCER modes, VCO1 will be forced
on VCF1, VCO2 and VCO3 on VCF2. Free choice of SUB, RM and Noise.
For PARAPHONIC 2 mode the mixer only allows VCO1, SUB, RM and Noise to be
mixed to accompany the first not

CAUTION: If no signal is selected on VCO, SUB, RM, NOISE and no destination VCF1 or
VCF2 is selected, there will be no sound output.
FILTERS
VCF1 (LP)
Suggested choice *: ARP type 4072, MOOG (transistor ladder), AS3320 LP... all in 24dB per
octave.
Cutoff
Resonance
Keyboard tracking 0 to 120%. 100% is between 8 and 9 sign pot.
Dedicated Envelope Input
Adjustable modulation input 1: LFO1 or LFO2 or S&H.
Adjustable modulation input 2: Aftertouch or Modulation wheel

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SYNTHR3 Manuel V1.01 EN
VCF2 (Multimode ou LP)
Suggested choice *: ARP, MOOG, AS3320 LP, SEM, STEINER, AS3320 MM...Multimodes are 12
dB per octave.
Cutoff
Resonance
Keyboard tracking 0 to 120%. 100% is between 8 and 9 sign pot.
Dedicated Envelope Input
Adjustable modulation input 1: LFO1 or LFO2 or S&H.
Adjustable modulation input 2: Aftertouch or Modulation wheel
Low Pass, Band Pass, High Pass selection for multimodes only
It can be interesting to press LP and HP at the same time.
CAUTION: If no filter mode is selected there will be no sound on the audio output..
* Other types of filters may be offered.
* * In the VCF2 slot (slot 2) an LP filter can be plugged in, in which case the BP and HP modes will not be accessible.
* * * Note: The proposed filters are based on known schematics, but are by no means clones of the components. It is
therefore possible that some of them do not have the grain, the fineness, the harmonic range or even the known defects of
these famous filters.

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SYNTHR3 Manuel V1.01 EN
MODULATIONS
LFO1 (LFO Mode of VCO3)
LFO On: with frequency display in the knob. In this case the VCO3 no longer exists in the Mixer.
Range selector: 5 frequency ranges
-2 from 0,37 to 0,7 Hz
-1 from 0,74 to 1,4 Hz
0from 1,5 to 2,8 Hz
+1 from 3 to 5,5 Hz
+2 from 6 to 11 Hz
Frequency potentiometer corresponding to fine tuning
djustable frequency modulation input: Aftertouch or
Modulation Envelope or LFO2
Simultaneous outputs: Triangle, Sawtooth, Reverse Sawtooth, Square
Note:
Remember to re-tune the frequency to return to VCO mode..
LFO1 has several possible destinations. If the LFO1 button is not pressed it is in VCO mode and therefore in the audio range.
This can be used to do frequency modulation on the other VCOs as well as on the filters
LFO2 (Electricdruid ™)
Range selector: 4 frequency ranges
1from 0,05 to 12,5 Hz
2from 0,1 to 25 Hz
3from 0,2 to 50 Hz
4from 0,4 to 100 Hz
Frequency potentiometer
Waveform distortion potentiometer:
Examples :
* The position respecting the waveform is at noon or 50%
otherwise the waveform is distorted. In the case of the square
waveform, this potentiometer acts on the duty cycle (PW).
Sample & Hold sample rate potentiometer acting on any
waveform.
Waveform selector among 8 and 8 more by pressing "Alt".
LFO On button: without it no exit. The LED shows the frequency.
Knobs for triggering the LFO by the modulation envelope.
LFO trigger button by Aftertouch