The Steiner Parker Microcon
Nyle Steiner, a classically trained trumpeter, is probably best known for his invention of the EVI and EWI wind controllers.
Nyle originally conceived of the concept of a brass-style electronic synthesizer in the 1960s. He began prototyping the concept in the early 1970s and in 1975 completed his first playable electric valve instrument- the 'Steiner Horn'. A woodwind version (EWI) was developed soon after.
the 1970's. he developed and sold the Sythasystem which was a modular synthesiser.
Between 1975 and 1979 the Steiner Parker Synthacon was produced as a portable monophonic synth partly based on the Synthasystem circuitry.
Nyle had sometimes a very different approach to his circuit design compared to the competition, resulting. in such designs as the (in)famous Synthacon VCF. Many variations of this interesting circuit can be found on the web.
The Microcon was sold as a standalone small synth or as an expander to larger systems.
Nyle also used it with the EVI and EWI.
It uses almost completely different circuitry to his other designs, including the use of vactrols in the VCF and VCA parts.
The vactrols give a different character to the sound.
Here are links to the original schematics:
