Description | It is a true analog monophonic synthesizer. The roots of the english MAPLIN models base on the ETI DIY Synthesizers from Australia. This MAPLIN 3800 "Synthesiser" was manufactured in England.
It has great sound capabilities because of the internal routing, the two VCOs (syncable), the noise generator, the S&H circuit (three different sources), three modulation sources, the ring modulator, the LFO, the VCF, the reverberation, the equalizer and the unique Transient circuit. The Transient is a kind of envelope that can be used to modulate several other components of the synthesizer. Like the Trapezoid circuit inside the EMS VCS3 and Synthi A synthesizers. The Transient circuit has got seven different pots for setting up and can also retrigger the synthesizer. Also there is a flexible kind of envelope for the VCA (ADDSR).
At the back you find several connector sockets. As there are: Foot switches for Trigger and for Glide, external audio input (can be routed through the filter and be used to synchronise the Envelope and the Transient to other sound sources) Here for there is at the front panel the section "EXTERNAL I/P". With this the external audio can be setup in sensitivity and trigger level. Also there is a separate output socket for the trigger and the retrigger, and for the audio output. At least there is a multi connector called "COMPUTER". But i don't know anything about it. I think it corresponds to the section "COMPUTER" at the front panel.
Unit works on 220 - 240 Volt. You will probably need an voltage converter to use this synthesizer or you replace the mains transformer inside. |
| Brand | Maplin |
| Model | 3800 |
| Device | Synth |
| Type | Keys |
| Engine Type | Analog |
| Engine | VCO |
| Voices (max) | 1 |
| Multitimbral | 1 |
| Oscillators | 2 |
| LFO | 1 Sample & Hold, Sine |
| Noise | Y |
| Engine Detailed | 2 VCO, Pink Noise, Pulse Variable, Saw Down, Saw Up, Sine, Square, Triangle, White Noise |
| Filter (VCF) | 1 24dB Slope (4-pole), Low Pass, Resonance |
| Envelope (VCA) | 1 x ADHD2, 1 x Transient Generator w/ 7 controls: Start Level (+ & -), Delay 1, Slope 1, Hold Level (+ & -), Hold Delay, Slope 2, and Final Level (+ & -). |
| Keys | 48 |
| Key type | Keys |
| Velocity | N |
| Aftertouch | N |
| CV-gate | CV IN, Gate Out, Trigger Out |
|
Produced: | 1979 - 1979 |
| Legend: |
Obvious |
Y: Yes, N: No, N/A: Not Applicable |
| VCO |
Voltage Controlled Oscillator |
DCO |
Digital Controlled Oscillator |
| LFO |
Low Frequency Oscillator |
Sub |
Sub Oscillator |
| VCF |
Voltage Controlled Filter |
VCA |
Voltage Controlled Amplifier |
| Velocity |
As with a piano, the harder you hit a key, the louder the sound, unlike most organs which always produce the same loudness no matter how hard you hit a key. |
Aftertouch |
Pressing a key after you activated it. Channel Aftertouch, no matter which key, it will send a Channel message. Poly Aftertouch, sends the pressure per key instead of the whole channel. |
| Values for OSC, LFO, Filter, Envelope are per voice unless stated otherwise. |
