Homemade Synthesizers 1

This time I am doing something a little different from my usual course.
But don't worry: When this series of six videos are posted I will be back on my usual track :-)

In 1995 I made my first working synthesizer module. Over the next ten years I build a lot of other stuff that could make notes or noises and in 2005 I decided it was time to record something with it.
I have been telling a lot of people about my homemade instrument for some years now. But I thought it was about time to actually show the things I have done - put the videos were my mouth is so to speak...

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Homemade
• synthesizer
• diy
• synth
• analog
• sequencer

[docfraktal]

Nice sound and fantastic work! you're my hero !!

i'm dreaming about my own synth, but i'm just musician, not electronician !

Can you tell me how many years i must go to school to learn electronic and construct my synth (approximativly) !Thank you so much !!

[organfairy]

@docfraktal - That depends on what level of personal design you want. There are kits available - ranging from budget to very expensive - where you only need to be able to solder. If you want a more individual designs there are some synthesizer module schematics online that you can construct. But it is an advantage to know some electronic basics to make those. If you want to design everything from scratch you need some level of serious education.

[RGMadSimon]

Cool. Did you diy the first stage? i mean, from keyboard to proportional voltage? I once tried to do that, but the whole thing is drifty and always shifts out of tune.

[organfairy]

@RGMadSimon - Yes, and I do have small problems with drift. I have included a tuning button on many of the instruments so that I can correct the drift.

[vandewerk]

Wow. Those are some sweet, sweet sounds.....are they really eminating from those metal boxes? They look like sruff salvaged from an abondened Russian lunar base.

[organfairy]

@vandewerk - Yes, everything is made on those metal boxes - well some of them are wood or plastic. And many of them are salvaged - though not from a Russian lunar base :-)

[Goth108]

wow! do you sell any of your great work you used for this recording? i and probably some others would be really interested!

[Guakingo]

@docfraktal I would recommend you to check out the Music From Outer Space webside, with lots of DIY synth projects from easy to advanced; you get tons of informations, all the schematics, you can buy the PCB boards and so on. And a million links. The site is so good that it is difficult NOT to start to build anything afterwards! I know virtually nothing about electronics but am building my first project (WSG) and have no problems at all, so I can just say go for it and good luck!

[wishbeter]

oh wait, I didn't give it enough time... LOL

[wishbeter]

I don't see a keyboard of any kind here. What did you use as triggers?

[Komputerism]

very kraftwerk. good work. 

[BuzzBrain69]

@docfraktal You need about 4-5 weeks of practice.

1. Buy a couple practice solder kits on ebay (i.e. distortion box, atari punk console, preamp). These are easy and cheap ... $25 each. (25w iron & sharp tip, cutters, solder, $5 volt meter from harbor freight)

2. sign up on electro-music dotcom/ forum.

3. synthrotek dotcom & musicfromouterspace dotcom

4. Get MAKE magazine or Circuit Cellar (READ)

5. Then start ordering real synth boards/ kits (vco, vcf, ADSR). Build and post vids.

[hammondjazz]

hi, i was wondering if yu had any advice or links to diy a simple two oscillator synth? thank you very much...loved your machine!

[ajtechnologies]

Wow...



[docfraktal]

@organfairy

Thank you so much for your advices !

I'll probably go back to school and take lessons of electronic(i'm 43 old years, but it's never too late)

Have a nice Week End !