DIY Synth builders here?

[peAk]

I am starting to get an itch to try a DIY synth

Anyone progressed from pedals to synths? I have always been an analog synth lover and it seems there are some sites out there for the DIYer

just wanting to hear from any members that have or wanted to get into this.

[raulduke]

Yeah I'm a synth dabbler.

I built a Shruti from Mutable Instruments, which is fantastic (highly recommended).

I've built various filters and bits too in the past (MS20 filter, Multimode etc.).

However, I have finally taken the plunge into Euro(c)rack, with the aim of DIY'ing as much as I can.

Eurorack is looking like the most sensible format for DIY synth stuff.

Frequency Central have some really cool projects, and I have a couple on my bench at the mo.


In short, go for it!

[peterc]

Started with this kit in 82, still have a box of PCBs that I need to put in a rack.

http://www.synthfind.com/powertran/powertran-transcendent-2000-4/

There is so much good info on the web, I suggest you start at muffwiggler.com

Peter

[micromegas]

not yet, but soon I'll become muahhahahaha!!!!!

[Strategy]

Synth builder here as well, play keyboards in bands, use my DIY pedals with synths, rhodes, organ etc.
Also do electronic music with drum machines and samplers
Have built bits of stuff for everything, only hurdle i haven't jumped is finishing my own modular synth. I have the necessary pieces just trying to clear out the back log of pedals and such first.

[peAk]

Wow, .....cool. So now I am really inspired.

How is the learning curve?

[Leevibe]

I've been wanting to do a kit from MFOS.  I can't decide between the Soundlab Mini Synth Plus or the Mark II.  It's cool to know there are people here interested in this!

[alanp]

Been strongly tempted to build the bones of a synth (VCO, VCF, VCA, ADSR, maybe a LFO), but the pricetag on most everything scares me. The old MOTM prices really scare me

[kothoma]

Does building synths in software count?

[m-Kresol]

I have a list of things I'd like to try and a Synth is definetly on there. Nice to see it's actually possible.
Anyone interested in building a Theremin?? I need a kit/layout, so if anyone has experience, please let me know.

[raulduke]

I have a list of things, I'd like to try and a Synth is definetly on there. Nice to see it's actually possible.
Anyone interested in building a Theremin?? I need a kit/layout, so if anyone has experience, please let me know.

I think Moog sell theirs as a kit don't they?

Regarding costs. When you add it all up, Euro-rack by far becomes the most flexible and affordable option. I was looking at the MFOS synth kit, but I think the flexibility and convenience of Euro-rack stuff wins over.

[peAk]

I was looking at some of these simple synth kits.

http://www.synthrotek.com/

Not too pricey and at least a way to get started. I have built a few pedals from them using their pcbs. I might give one of their synths a shot before I spend any serious $$$

They also have a theremin kit, which I too am interested in building.

[m-Kresol]

I have a list of things, I'd like to try and a Synth is definetly on there. Nice to see it's actually possible.
Anyone interested in building a Theremin?? I need a kit/layout, so if anyone has experience, please let me know.

I think Moog sell theirs as a kit don't they?

Regarding costs. When you add it all up, Euro-rack by far becomes the most flexible and affordable option. I was looking at the MFOS synth kit, but I think the flexibility and convenience of Euro-rack stuff wins over.

Yes, Moog is selling their theremins, but they are pretty expensive. Also, they take away all the fun by sending populated PCBs.

Started with this kit in 82, still have a box of PCBs that I need to put in a rack.

http://www.synthfind.com/powertran/powertran-transcendent-2000-4/

There is so much good info on the web, I suggest you start at muffwiggler.com

Peter

This is kinda what I had in mind when I heard and said synth. I don't really know what  eg. the Eurorack parts do or how they work together. What would one need with the eurorack or mutable insturments? Amp, speakers, keyboard?

[Strategy]

MOTM are among the most pricey. I recommend CGS, and there are many group buy projects with good documentation on the forums electro-music and muffwiggler. Also lots of amazing help. Some overlap with the pedals community of course. I found there to be a learning curve with: bipolar power, mechanical assembly (synth panels require forethought and sometimes special parts, like brackets and such if you are doing panel based modular synths...I take the easy road and do mine as little desktop boxes/standalone things in ABS enclosures or re-purposed enclosures!) My biggest synth project has been an 8-bit sampler called "Where's the Party At?" - pretty amazing. My flickr with some builds: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32803926@N06/ I use DIY stuff every time I play a show, including a little standalone clone of the Roland TR-808 kick drum.

If you can do a complex Madbean pedal like Aquaboy SDX or whatever you will have no problem doing synth things.

Oh watch out for high levels. Modular output is 10 vpp! VERY LOUD!

What's fun is control voltages. I got into this early thanks to linking Moogerfooger and Frostwave pedals together with sequencers, MIDI, etc. I've gone and added CV to my pedal projects, using vactrols to create a voltage-to-resistance link, so I can connect pedal controls to synth LFO's and such in an interactive way.

Strategy

[twin1965]

Paia, http://www.paia.com, has been around for a long time. They've got a theremin kit as well synth modules. Some guitar kits as well.


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