[sdiy] Get this a lot, you probably do

[Tim Parkhurst]

On Thu, Dec 24, 2009 at 12:36 PM, Walker Shurlds
<walkershurlds at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi guys, I'm new here.
>
> Never built any synthesis equipment before, closest thing is some mods
> for guitar pedals.  Recently added "build a fully functional modular
> synthesizer from scratch" to my bucket list.  I'm a BSEE undergrad (got
> about a year left) so I know more than the average noob, on paper at
> least, most likely not in practice.
>
> Anyone want to suggest me a first project?
>
> I'm under the impression that anything I build will be useless without
> a CV source, so really I mean a first project that's a CV source and
> another first project that's some form of oscillator.
>
> (Also going out of town today, gonna read replies on... the 28th?)
>
> Thanks bunches!
>
> Walker Shurlds
> _______________________________________________

Hey Walker,

Here's a couple of suggestions:

1) Build or buy a power supply. This isn't glamorous and doesn't even
make noise, but you'll be glad you got this out of the way. A stable,
reliable supply will be needed for anything else you make later on. If
you hunt around a bit, you can usually find a Condor or Power One
bipolar supply at a surplus dealer like All Parts, or even on eBay.
Wire up and protect those AC inputs very carefully. Don't skimp on the
heat shrink and electrical tape there ;)

2) Build a VCO. This is a fun module and allows you to make some
noise. You can tweak the tuning knobs to play with it, and this will
give you a basic tone source for use with filters, amplifiers, etc.

Once you've got those started, then you can think about what you want
to do next. If you want to play the synth with a keyboard, then you'll
want to get a MIDI keyboard and a MIDI-CV converter. There are DIY
MIDI-CV projects, although you may just want to go for a commercial
box to save yoursefl some time. Otherwise, you might want to build a
simple analog sequencer.

If you're looking for looking for projects to build, there is no
shortage of schematics and PCBs available. Some of the more popular
destinations include:
Music From Outer Space: Ray Wilson's site is an amazing collection.
Ray offers PCBs for almost all of his projects. He also offers the WSG
(Wacky Sound Generator), which might be a nice first project; it's
simple but makes a wide variety of noises. The Sound Lab is a complete
synth project, but might be a bit much for a first project.
http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/

Ken Stone's CGS (Cat Girl Synth) site: Another great collection of
schematics and projects. Ken also has PCBs available for most of his
projects. Good reading and highly educational too.
http://www.cgs.synth.net/

The Bridechamber: Lots of PCBs, kits and parts available.
http://www.bridechamber.com/bridechamber.com/Home.html

Elby designs: Many, many kits and PCBs available. Includes some
MIDI-CV kits, and home of the ASM-2 all in one synth PCB.
http://www.elby-designs.com/

There are several web-based mailing lists and forums (fora?). Of
course, you're susbscribed to the SDIY mailing list. A couple of my
favorite forums include Electro-Music
http://www.electro-music.com/forum/

And Muff-Wiggler
http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/

Of course, I'll also "toot my own horn" and list my site too: Magic
Smoke Electronics. We offer PCBs and some parts for Thomas Henry
desgins. Thomas has been writing DIY articles and books for decades
now, and has a long list of fun projects.
www.magsmoke.com
We also offer reprints of Thomas' DIY books that are great collections
of schematics, and many that concentrate on various musical
applications of a specific chip. We also have a new DVD coming out
were we follow Thomas along while he builds a rack cabinet, makes and
mounts his own panels, and wires up a complete synth system.
www.lulu.com/magsmoke

Anyway, you are definitely getting into synth DIY at a GREAT time. The
Internet has fueled a recent explosion of resources and information,
and there's never been a better time to be a Synth Nerd :)


Tim (welcome to the obsession - I mean "hobby") Servo
-- 
"Sire, the church of God is an anvil that has worn out many hammers."
- H.L. Hastings