[sdiy] Beginners project questions

[rdrake]

Mikael,

Welcome, and best of luck!

You're right, there is a lot of information, and it can be intimidating.  This list has been an invaluable resource for me, so ask questions here for sure.  I think you're on the right track in looking to start off simple yet expandable.

Of the projects you mention, I can personally recommend Ray's MiniSynth.  Especially if you build the "patched out" configuration, you can expose most of the control and audio signals so they can be connected to other modules in the future.  

If you're comfortable etching PC boards, fairly simple designs for most of the "standard" synth modules are also available from Ray's site... also, as you say, from various sites around the net.  

Another option is to buy PC boards and populate them yourself.  Oakley (http://www.oakleysound.co.uk/)in England has boards for most of the standard stuff, very high quality and easy to build (especially if you use their board-mounted pots).  Ken Stone (http://www.cgs.synth.net/) has some really fantastic stuff available (his Steiner filter and Digital Noise are personal favorites), much of it a little on the "odd" side... that's a good thing.

Finally, you might want to consider full kits, especially for some key modules like oscillators or filters.  I have a number of Blacet kits (http://www.blacet.com/)and think they're great.  Lots of list members have great experiences with MOTM (http://www.synthtech.com/).  Although the prices of full kits might seem high at first, I find that once you buy parts in one-off quantities, etch or buy your board, and struggle w/ things like mounting and front panels, the kits begin to seem like a real bargain.

Again, welcome, and have fun...

lbd


>----- ------- Original Message ------- -----
>From: mikael at mikmo.dk
>To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>Sent: Thu, 22 Apr 2004 18:06:47
>
>My name is Mikael, i'm new on the list.
>
>I have couple of "beginners project" questions.
>
>I would like to start a DIY synth project.
>
>And i would like to her your opinion on what would
>be a suitable beginners
>project.
>
>I have done a lot of web surfing on the subject,
>and i found lots of info,
>almost too much :-)
>
>Now the thing i want to build should be modular of
>course, expandable,
>patchable. So i want a beginners
>project that can still be the base for expansion is
>that too much to ask :-) ?
>
>I have looked at stuff like:
>
>	 Sound lab mini synth, but i looks very
>"closed" an not expandable.
>
>	 The Eklector Formant - maybe too complex ?
>
>	 ASM-1 (soon ASM-2 ?)
>
>I have some electronics skills, i can solder, make
>(not too complex) PCB's,
>understand (not too complex)
>Schematics. I have lots of computer experince,
>including programming.
>
>What can you suggest ?
>
>Any good books ?  Which WEB sites ?
>
>Thanks
>
>Mikael