Remembering Paul Schreiber Of Synthesis Technology

Paul Schreiber – founder of Synthesis Technology, creator of the MOTM synthesizer, and designer of the Moog/Realistic MG-1 synthesizer – has died.

The news comes as a shock to his friends. Schreiber had been dealing with heart problems and was in the hospital waiting for surgery. But, as recently as yesterday, he shared an upbeat update via Facebook:

“Having one at least (perhaps 2) valves replaced in a few days. Probable pacemaker upgrade to new, better model with 64 cores, 128 threads, and Dolby ATMOS (whether I want it or not).

Will ping when back home, as snug as a bug in a rug, as Mom was fond of saying.

Thanks for all the attention, it’s comforting. I’m getting a LOT done, design-wise.”

Sharing the news of deaths in the synth community is one of the hardest parts of running Synthopia. Sometimes it’s a personal hero. Sometimes it’s someone that we’ve gotten to know through events like NAMM, Superbooth and Knobcon. And sometimes it’s someone who became a friend. Paul Schreiber was all of these things.

Schreiber’s MOTM modules got me back into synthesis, in the late ’90s, and indirectly led to the creation of Synthtopia.

Schreiber had created the MOTM (an abbreviation of the optimistic ‘Module Of The Month’) synthesizer. It was a line of synth modules, designed to the highest standard, that you could buy pre-assembled or as extremely well-documented kits.

I learned about MOTM from a magazine article written by ambient musician Robert Rich, purchased a few kits, and fell down a deep rabbit hold that ultimately changed my life in many interesting ways.

In those days, there were few options for modular synthesizers. There weren’t a lot of modular synths around, outside of Universities and the studios of a small number of musicians. And there weren’t a lot of options available to buy.

That started to change in the late ’90s, when Dieter Doepfer introduced his Eurorack modular synth line, Roger Arrick introduced the Moog format Synthesizers.com line, and Paul Schreiber introduced the Synthesis Technology MOTM line.

While some may think of MOTM as a Moog-style synth, because of visual similarities, it’s a distinct 5U format:

Schreiber wanted to improve on the Moog format, so everything in the MOTM line was engineered to the highest quality, built like a tank, and without many of the compromises and quirks of 60’s modular designs.

Synthesis Technology was also a side gig for Schreiber, though, so he introduced new modules slowly and methodically. This resulted in the MOTM modules having an almost legendary reputation for quality, but also led to many owners expanding their systems with compatible modules from other manufacturers or DIY designs. Ultimately, the premium cost of high-end designs and smaller range of modules were limiting factors on adoption of the MOTM format, resulting in Eurorack and Synthesizers.com becoming the dominant modern modular formats.

In the early 2000’s, we launched Synthtopia and started attending NAMM to report on new gear introductions relevant to electronic musicians. There, we met Schreiber, who initially displayed his latest MOTM modules, and then expanded his line to Eurorack modules:

Schreiber’s Eurorack modules found a much bigger audience, so he eventually phased out MOTM.

His Eurorack designs were designed to the same high standards as his MOTM modules, but arguably became more innovative. He introduced modules like the Cloud Generator, Morphing Terrarium, Cloud Terrarium, Quad Morphing VCO and Hyperion Processor, each of which expanded the possibilities of modular synthesis in the Euro format.

We got to know Schreiber well over the years. He was brilliant, creative and funny, but he didn’t suffer fools gladly, rubbing some people the wrong way, as a result. He had great stories to tell about his days at Radio Shack, and about the creation of the quirky and wonderful MG-1 synthesizer. And he was always passionate about whatever he was working on.

In 2023, Schreiber retired from his day job, and closed up shop at Synth Tech. But, while his retirement from his day job stuck, synthesizers kept pulling him back in.

At Knobcon 2024, a synth convention held in the Chicagoland area, he announced the return of Synthesis Technology. He told us that Analogue Haven basically gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse, so he planned to release a series of limited edition modules, with AH handling sales and distribution.

Schreiber was also the guest of honor at last year’s Knobcon. At the event’s Golden Knob Banquet, he gave the keynote speech and was recognized for his contributions to synthesis and electronic music making. And Suit and Tie Guy, right in the photo below, presented him with the Golden Knob award:

Schreiber had lots of ideas that he still wanted to explore, and was actively developing new designs up to his death.

18 thoughts on “Remembering Paul Schreiber Of Synthesis Technology”

  2. A sad day indeed. 🙁

    Back about 20 years ago when I decided to get back into modular synths, I struggled for months over which manufacturer to go with, (because I naively thought I’d only ever have modules from one manufacturer), and I finally went with Synthesis Technology’s MOTM line. (other top contenders were Synthesizers.com, Modcan B, Club Of The Knobs, and Mos-Lab) Even though I’ve expanded greatly since then, my MOTM system is still the cornerstone of my big modular wall.

    Eventually when Paul started making Eurorack modules I did some testing and demos for some of the earliest ones, and even as recently as last summer I did some beta testing with a prototype of the new E430 VCF.

    Rest in peace, Paul!

  4. I emailed Paul with a question about one of his modules and surprisingly I got a phone call from him with answers but also anecdotes and incredibly generous conversation. I spoke with him twice and I was in awe of the devices he imagined and produced. The e352 is currently 100 in the top 100 list on modular grid. I think it should have that position permanently as a tribute to all he gave to modular synthesis. I mean so many have benefited from his work. His wave table software alone had far reaching benefits for many developers and nobody can deny how gorgeous all his modules are. I’m so thankful for all your creations. Thanks Paul

  6. Very sad to hear about this. R.i.p. Professor Angelo Farina also passed away. For eveyone working with spatial audio he was an important figure.

  9. A Sad day 🙁 I have a few of Pauls Euro modules, and he replaced a DSP chip in my E350 for free once, and this was many years after I bought it. He made some excellent modules and was super friendly whenever I contacted him. RiP Paul…

  12. I am extremely saddened to hear of Paul’s passing.
    Since the early 70’s I had always dreamed of owning a large modular system and in the early 2000’s that dream was realized by the advent of Pauls’ MOTM kits. I still have my wall of MOTM and they sonically stand test of time against other modular manufactures (whom now number in thousands)
    I’d been and acquaintance of Paul these last ~20 years. Paul was always available to assist and an amiable conversationalist.
    I always looked forward to catching up with him at the yearly Knobcon convention.
    Paul, along with Ray Wilson of MFOS, were both solidly in front of the resurgence in synths and CV controlled sound and music.
    Paul’s electronic knowledge was freely share with the communityand his abilities and inspiration will always be remembered

  13. Very sad news. I’ve had an E350 for the longest time. The only thing I have by him. It’s such a cool oscillator. It can be smooth and dreamy or gnarly and crunchy. Love it. RIP Paul.

  14. Hey,

    I’m Jordan from MusicGPT, and I’m thrilled to connect with you! At MusicGPT, we’re on a mission to build the world’s best AI audio generator, backed by a talented team of ex-OpenAI and ex-Spotify people. We turn simple text prompts into original tracks, beats, and sounds in just seconds—how cool is that?

    We recently came across your content and believe you would be the perfect fit to explore what MusicGPT can do. How about teaming up for a fun, paid collaboration? We would love for you to try out MusicGPT and create a blog post, reviewing our super cool AI tools.
    Let me know if this is something you’d be open to chatting about!

  15. My last text from Paul was ‘I’m getting two new heart valves in a few days.” I’m really glad I responded.

    Paul was one of the two best electrical engineers I’ve ever known (Forrest Mims was the other). He was supremely competent in a way that few people are. He was generous with his time and his knowledge. The synth world, and the world at large, are bleaker places with his passing.

    RIP

  16. Immense knowledge and immense kindness, always ready to help, always ready to answer a question, with anyone. My life was motmized 28 years ago and still is. (Enrico Dibennardo, composer and professor in a music academy in Italy)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *