Modular Synth

[Scott Gravenhorst]

Also need to mention the Mad Mouse ala Tomg.  No experience here,
anyone else?

"Byron G. Jacquot" <thescum at surfree.com> wrote:
>>Hi, i am a REAL beginner to this type of electronics, so i'm after a bit of
>>advice. I want to make my own modular analogue synth using schematics from
>>the net or buy a kit that i could build up piece by piece into a modular
>>synth.
>>
>>Where do i get such information?
>
>You've gome to the right place.  There's always a lot of discussion about
>exactly these things right here.
>
>If you think that kits would be the way to begin, take a look at:
>http://www.paia.com
>http://www.synthtech.com
>http://www.blacet.com
>
>They all offer modules with a wide variety of design philosophies.  Paia's
>Fatman makes a very nice starting point, with a complete (though not modular
>if you follow the instructions) monosynth kit for $170...just add a MIDI
>keyboard.
>
>>I want to connect it upto a keyboard to play it. What type of keyboard does
>>it have to be? I have a keyboard that may be suitable. How do i verify this
>>and how do i interface it?
>
>If you add a MIDI-to-CV (control voltage) unit, then most modern keyboards
>will be able to control the synth.  This is probably the easiest way to start.
>
>If you have a raw keybed assembly, it'll take a little more work to get it
>talking!
>
>>To build a simple synth is the following list all i need?
>>
>>VCO
>>LFO
>>FILTER
>>ENVELOPE
>>MODULATOR
>>SIMPLE AUDIO MIXER
>>
>>I am quite experienced at constructing other devices but have no idea about
>>how to approach this.
>
>For a really simple synth, you could simply use a VCO and a keyboard, but
>the sound might be a little static.  The beauty of a modular is that you can
>add to it as you see fit, and customize it to your tastes...there are all
>kinds of wacky modules to fit everyones needs.
>
>Look at the above sites, they describe what the modules in the kits do.  You
>could also go to a library and do a keyword search for "synthesizer."  It
>should probably turn up some good references to answer these. (the same goes
>for the web, too!)
>
>>I understand that this will be monophonic. how would i go about adding
>>polyphony (ie ow would i sync up the modules etc)
>
>With more expensive MIDI-CV units, they can do the hard work for you, and
>generate multiple notes of control signals at the same time.
>
>The trouble is that to add the capability for another note, it involves
>another complete set of circuits (IE: VCO, VCF, envelopes, mixers, nearly
>everything, except maybe an LFO)
>
>I hope this is enough to get you started...
>
>Byron Jacquot
>
>PS to Synth DIY folks: should some of this be in a FAQ somewhere?
>
>

-- Scott Gravenhorst                    | Linux Rex, Linux Vobiscum
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