Gakken SX-150 DIY Modular synth ( In progress )

So I have been building my own analog synth out of 3 inexpensive Gakken SX-150 synths. Lots of bending involved. Here's what I have done so far: 500MM softpot added as a control strip for all 3 units. Each unit is tuned by replacing the 75k resistors with 10k potentiometers. The LFO is connected through patches in order to enable it to oscillate the filter. The resonance switch is also set to allow the resonance to self oscillate for a gritty distorted sound. Added 1/4 inch outs that allow each Gakken to be patched in discretely for left, right and left-right panning. Batteries replaced with 6v power supply and of course, I built a case that folds up and down like a Moog Model D. More to come, but I decided to put it through it's paces. In the video, I've added some delay to the unit, but it's pretty beefy on its own. In a world full of digital samplers and autotune, there's something very inspiring about the imperfect nature of analog voltage.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Gakken SX-150
• SX-150
• DIY Synth
• Analog Synth
• Circuit Bending

[seanrieger]

Thanks episnod. I hope it helps. rhoggard, as for the softpot, I actually got it from Trossen Robotics. Thanks for all the compliments guys. The thing is a blast to play.

[sonicase]

lol pretty cool

[seanrieger]

@sonicase Thanks a lot!

[shtepoui]

nice job....care to share what you did to the synths?

[seanrieger]

@shtepoui Sure. All 3 are modded the same way. So everything that I listed is done 3 times over. Think of it as a SX-150 with 3 oscillators, 3 LFO's and 3 Filters... all controlled by one strip, or the sequencer. That way you can tune each one differently creating octave splits or chords.

[rhoggard76]

dang this thing is nasty.

[obeyzoltan]

I was thinking the same idea but with monotrons instead gakken

[Oweng40000]

Is that tool that you're playing?

[salvadory]

youre my freakin hero- genius and cool song as well- been working on a few circuit bent type projects but this is insanel!!!!!

[flux302]

Love it! and the track is nice too.  great job all around man.

[gorski983]

Dammmmmnn sounds sooo.... pure. Luv it.

[episnod]

Nicely done. I've been dreaming of getting back to analog and this is a very cost effective way to experiment. Thanks for posting.

[woodykinskileone]

I wonder if the same could be done using the Stylophone..?

[rhoggard76]

did you get your 500mm soft pot from curious inventors site?