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Star Instruments Synare 3

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Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Description

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Experience the fusion of vintage charm and modern electronic percussion with the Star Instruments Synare 3. Originally a groundbreaking instrument in the late 1970s, the Synare 3 has become a beloved piece of music history, renowned for its distinctive sound that has graced countless recordings. This electronic drum pad is perfect for musicians looking to add a touch of retro authenticity to their setup.

The analog circuitry of the Synare 3 offers the warm, organic sound that only true analog devices can provide. With its intuitive interface and dynamic range, it’s a versatile tool suitable for both studio recordings and live performances. The Synare 3 features an array of controls, allowing you to tweak and modulate sounds to your heart's content, enabling the creation of everything from thunderous drum rolls to otherworldly tonal effects.

Whether you’re an electronic music producer wanting to incorporate classic drum sounds, or a drummer exploring electronic percussion, the Synare 3 provides a unique and creative platform. Its vintage vibe combined with modern capabilities makes it an ideal choice for both nostalgic collectors and contemporary artists alike.

Key Features:

True analog sound for authentic vintage tones
Intuitive control panel for sound shaping and modulation
Versatile use for studio and live performances
Includes built-in triggered sounds with modulation options
Renowned for its use in classic recordings and live acts

Videos

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SynthMania

Joy Division style drums with Synare 3

SynthMania

Synare 3

elmadave

SYNARE 3 analog drum synthesizer DEMO

CGMAGIK

Synare 3 - Take 2

elmadave

Synare 3 - Take 3

elmadave

Synare 3 by Star Instruments. A very broken analog drum synthesizer. Will it work again??

DeadKoby

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Star Instruments Synare 3.

Build quality

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The Synare 3 is often noted for its tendency to break frequently, highlighting a potential reliability concern for vintage gear enthusiasts.
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Use cases and applications

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Joy Division famously used the Synare 3, and it's been suggested for use in live settings to replicate iconic 'In the Air Tonight' snare sounds.
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Comparisons

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Some users draw comparisons between the Synare 3 and the Nord Drum 3p, suggesting similarities in sound despite differing technologies.
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Value and pricing

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A recent listing for a Synare 3 was found for $450 on Reverb, indicating its current market value for potential buyers.
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Mods and upgrades

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A MIDI-enabled clone kit for the Synare 3 is available, which could appeal to those interested in modernizing the vintage sound with new technology.
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Artist usage

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Jean Michel Jarre

Keyboardist, Music Producer

The Dustbins

Verified via YouTube

in this music video, JMJ can be see playing two synares at 4:00

Gary Numan

Singer, Guitarist

Tubeway Army

Verified via THE ELECTRICITY CLUB

Rrussel Bell : “I was the guitarist and I had five synths!! I had a Polymoog, two Minimoogs, Moog Taurus pedals, Synares and a Roland guitar synth !”

Source : Electricity Club

Merzbow

Composer, Music Producer

Kikuri

Verified via Discogs

The Synare 3 is listed in the liner notes for Duo and the Merzbox.

Stephen Morris

Drummer, Keyboardist

Joy Division

Verified via Photo

In this interview, Stephen explains how he encountered his first drum synthesizer. "When I actually saw one, I think it was a Synare I in a music shop in Manchester. What I really liked about it was that it had a handle... it was like a suitcase and the fact that it had a handle, I thought that was cool because you could carry this thing about. When I actually got a drum synthesizer, it was the Synare III."

Darren King

Singer, Drummer

MUTEMATH

Verified via YouTube

"This is a cool piece right here" at 7:34 in this video reviewing MuteMath's gear from their 2016 summer vitals tour, this synthesizer can be seen as Darren talks about it.

Kevin Haskins

Drummer

Bauhaus

Verified via Chaos Control Digizine

For the drums, there’s this one piece of equipment called the Synare Drum, which is a small analog synthesizer drum. I used that a lot. I don’t currently have one myself. I gifted one to Steve Perkins from Jane’s Addiction. I bought one for him once, and it’s kind of funny because I keep borrowing it whenever we reform. I’ve been sampling it. It’s wonderful, and it’s a very important sound to what I was doing. So it’s great to have that, and I’ve been sampling that so I can have it for the songs without having to fiddle around with this piece of equipment.

Pete de Freitas

Drummer

Echo & the Bunnymen

Verified via Muzines

In addition to his normal '67 Ludwig kit, Mr de Freitas used a Synare III for that "khohhh" sound. The Simmons impression is achieved with a harmoniser on the tom toms.

Malcolm Holmes

Drummer

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

Verified via YouTube

At 1:35, a Synare 3 drum pad can be seen in Malcolm Holmes' setup.

Alan Myers

Drummer

Devo

Verified via Photo

Pictured is Alan in the "Whip It" music video with two of his Synare 3 drums. Alan used two Synare 3s along with a traditional drum set from 1979 to 1982. Alan also used an all-Synare kit with 7 of these on the 1982 tour for playing electronic sounds.