[sdiy] where the **** do I start...

[Tim Parkhurst]

Hey Kevin,

Welcome to Synth DIY. One good place to start out is with PAIA kits,
especially the Fatman. For under $200, you can get the kit and a case (or
rack panel if you want to rack mount it). If you already have some
experience soldering, you should have no trouble with a PAIA kit.

http://www.paia.com/fatman.htm

One drawback to the Fatman is that the oscillators are "Linear Response."
This basically means that they cannot be driven from something like an ARP
or Moog or other "Exponential Response" or "volt per octave" synthesizers
(at least not without some slightly complicated conversion circuitry).
LUCKILY, the Fatman can be controlled by any MIDI keyboard, so the
incompatibility with volt per octave synthesizers may never be an issue. As
you progress, you might want to get the manuals to their 9700 series and
look them over. PAIA is very good about publishing schematics and circuit
explanations, so their manuals can be very educational. A LOT of the people
on this list started on PAIA stuff.

Another good project might be Ray Wilson's "Sound Lab Mini Synth"

http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/

The Sound Lab has exponential response oscillators, can be driven from an
ARP or Moog synth, and looks to be a relatively simple project. However, you
will have to purchase all the parts yourself (Ray Wilson sells the PCB
only), and the Sound Lab does not have MIDI control. 

Well, these are just a couple of suggestions. I'm sure you'll get more here.
Again, welcome and have fun with it!



Tim (having fun with it) Servo

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kevin [mailto:flightofharmony at comcast.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 10:31 AM
> To: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> Subject: [sdiy] where the **** do I start...
> 
> I am a grade-a newbie to this, no real experience whatsoever (in this
> field), and am trying to find a good first-timer DIY synth schematic.
> Something I can piece together as my funds are on the low side. I have
been
> learning a lot from this list and am quite overwhelmed by all the info I
> have researched. I do have some experience in soldering, and used to wire
> generator systems and their controller networks. I am going to school in a
> few months to start on my EE, but I really want to start making pretty
> noises as soon as I can. :) Something simple, so I can figure how to put
all
> the bits I have learned together?
> 
> Kevin
> 
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