Mattel Synsonics Demo by Failed Muso

Another in my series of basic (and I do mean basic !) demos of some of my favourite bits of gear. Here is the Mattel Synsonics, a piece of gear I lusted over as a young boy, thinking it would be my ticket to super mega stardom as the most supreme drummer of all time. Sadly, my pocket money couldn't stretch to it, and my parents figured that I'd be far better served by a Subbuteo set, as a career in table football was much better :-s

I eventually found one of these in mint condition on eBay and promptly snapped it up. Sadly, after almost 30 years of waiting, I was slightly underwhelmed, but I'm sure it would've blown my mind back in the day.

Apparently, Kraftwerk used these at one point.

Enjoy.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mattel
• Synsonics
• Failed
• Muso
• Kraftwerk

[Chestun]

can u upload that whispers beat on that machine?

[FailedMuso]

Well, I played it live, it's not a MIDI file or anything, but maybe if I get some time, I can record a loop or somesuch and then upload the audio.

Watch this space :o)

[thedivinechemical]

I'd hit it!

[cxpage]

I bought mine when they first came out and I still have it.

I bring it out every few months and bang away.

[CosmicRey]

My very first drum machine. i was so ahead of my time.

[perspeeks]

That actually sounds really good, to my ears. Do you really have to hold the buttons down for repeated notes? such a weird design :)

[bucktheusa]

Same here bro!

My dad wasn't going to spring for a $150 drum "toy" back in '83 or whatever it was.

I ended up with a real set of "Tempest" drums (hey, they guy said they were made by Pearl).

I still wanted the damn Mattel junk, but after a while I got over it.

Too bad it took a year to work off the drums.

My drum teacher sucked...

Now I'm a guitarist...fate?

Would have be awesome though to see this under the tree back then.

I would have sh*t myself!

[panamacityeddie]

I remember when these came out. I was always curious since they are made by Mattel Electronics,if it could be used with the Intellivision music keyboard.

[Jing0j0nes]

I've just spent £30 on one of these, and I can honestly say that it's the best £30 I've ever spent. What a machine! It's up there with the greatest things mankind has ever produced. In fact, it's the greatest thing ever produced by any species. Unbelievable! I suggest everyone buys one immediately. Unbe-fucking-lievable. Nice video.

[Kaifanef]

I found one of this synsonic drums 2 days ago in a garage sell... it cost me 8 bucks so I am happy .. again =)

[phillygrl69]

I will never forget when these first came out!! I wanted them sooo bad, they cost 100.00 and it was the only thing that I wanted for Christmes that year. And I got it!!! I lost them over all the moves over the yrs. I am wanting to find them again!! Thanks for the memories!

[squidfanny]

Nice demo bro...

I use my synsonics 'techno style', triggering the sounds from a roland tr-505 drum machine.

It's a very cool machine!