ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Steiner-Parker Synthacon

Imagine you have a toy piano where you can press the keys and make sounds. A synthesizer is like a bigger and cooler toy piano for musicians. It has lots of buttons and sliders that you can use to create your own sounds.

The Steiner-Parker Synthacon is a special type of synthesizer that was made back in the 1970s. It was created by two guys named Nyle Steiner and Tom Parker, hence the name Steiner-Parker.

What makes the Synthacon special is how it creates sound. Most synthesizers use something called oscillators to make notes. Think of oscillators as machines that vibrate really fast to create a sound. The Synthacon also uses oscillators, but it has a special filter that can change the way the sound sounds like.

Imagine you have a glass of water and you drop a spoon in it. You'll hear a splash. That's the sound of the spoon hitting the water. But imagine if you put a lid on the glass and then dropped the spoon. The sound would be different because the lid would change the way the sound travels. The Synthacon's filter does something similar, but with sound waves instead of water waves.

The Synthacon also has other cool features like a sequencer. A sequencer is like a musical pattern maker. You can use it to make a repeating pattern of notes. This is useful for creating electronic music where the rhythm is really important.

Overall, the Steiner-Parker Synthacon is a special synthesizer that has a cool filter and sequencer. It's a favorite of electronic musicians and has a unique sound that sets it apart from other synthesizers.