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This page is intended as a list of simple but useful components that can be built for a modular synth.
This page is intended to be a format-agnostic (can be built for [[Eurorack]], [[4U]], [[5U]] etc.) list of simple but useful electronic music projects.


'''If you're new to DIY electronics, please read the [[Synthesizer do it yourself]] page first.'''
'''If you're new to DIY electronics, please read the [[synthesizer do it yourself]] page first.'''

This list of modules is intended to be format-agnostic (so, can be built for [[Eurorack]], [[4U]], [[5U]] etc.). Because of this, complete DIY kits are not included.


For more complex all-in-one synthesizer projects, see [[:Category:Projects]].
For more complex all-in-one synthesizer projects, see [[:Category:Projects]].


[[synthesizer]] modules are defined and differentiates from components such as amplifiers, oscillators, filters, etc. by having voltage control.<ref>''[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=c1NBTlBMDyYC&lpg=PA115&ots=FfBDaX6_QI&pg=PA115#v=onepage&q&f=false Vladimir Ussachevsky: A Bio-bibliography]'' by Ralph Hartsock, Carl John Rahkonen, Greenwood Press, 2000, {{ISBN|0313298521}}</ref>
⚫
== Simple passive circuits ==


=== Passive mult ===
== Entry level projects ==
Designed more for simplicity than high performance. Good enough to get an introduction to some basic principles of Synth DIY. Using just a handful of components and easily built on [[stripboard]] or [[perfboard]].
⚫
=== Passive circuits ===
Passive circuits don't require powering.
* [[CGS real ring modulator]] and [[CGS real ring modem]] -
* [[Moog passive filters]] -
⚫
* [[Passive mult]] - Probably the easiest module to possibly build, all you need is some [[connectors|jack]]s, some wire, and a soldering iron. This module allows you to split a signal to be sent to multiple destinations. '''Passive mults are not suitable for V/octave CV control, because the voltage may drop when split, due to varying impedances in the destinations'''
* [[Vactrol VCF]] - This can do interesting things right away unlike a [[VCO]] which doesn't do much interesting on it's own.
=== Active circuits ===
Active circuits need some Volts for power.
⚫
* [[Atari Punk Console]] - one of the simplest audio-generating circuits. There are [[CV/gate|CV]]-controllable versions available, however,''they do not track voltage'', and so are not suitable as melodic voices.
* [[Baby 10 sequencer]] -
* [[LMNC simple EG]] - a very cut down envelope generator<!-- https://www.lookmumnocomputer.com/simple-envelope-generator -->
* [[LMNC simple-filter]] - a simplified MS20 LPF<!-- https://www.lookmumnocomputer.com/simple-filter -->
* Tim Escobedo's [http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-67769-0.html&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight= Q&D VCF]


== See also ==
⚫
Probably the easiest module to possibly build, all you need is some [[jack]]s, some wire, and a soldering iron. This module allows you to split a signal to be sent to multiple destinations. ''Passive mults are not suitable for V/octave CV control, because the voltage may drop when split, due to varying impedances in the destinations'''
* [[Simple electronics]]


==== Schematics ====
== References ==
{{reflist}}


== Further reading ==
* simply wire all jack tips together, and all barrels together. More complex designs can use switched jacks to split multiples into smaller sub-groups.
* ''Electronic Synthesiser Construction'' by R.A. Penfold, Bernard Babani, 1986, {{ISBN|0-85934-159-3}} - Typical Babani pocket-book. It contains details for making a basic synthesizer with the usual VCO-VCA-VCF voice, including an ADSR envelope generator, and several simple sequencer circuits. Online at [http://www.emusic-diy.org/Schematics/Synths E-Music DIY Archive].
* [https://aisynthesis.com/ai001-multiple-build-guide/ AI synthesis have a schematic] for a splitable passive multiple, as well as full PCB-based kits available.
* ''Handmade Electronic Music: The Art of Hardware Hacking'' by Nicolas Collins, Routledge, 2009, {{ISBN|0-415-99873-5}}. A guide to the lowest tech electronic music possible; circuit-bending existing toys, moving on to building simple oscillators, filters, amplifiers using CMOS circuits. Simple, inspiring projects that work and will get you started in music DIY.<!-- <ref>[http://musicthing.co.uk/modular/?p=835 Handmade Electronic Music by Nicholas Collins], Music Thing Modular</ref> -->

* ''Make: Analog Synthesizers'' by Ray Wilson, Maker Media Inc., 2013, {{ISBN|1-4493-4522-0}} - easy to read, contains a lot of practical advice about soldering and construction. A more accurate title would be ''How to build the [http://musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/NOISETOASTER/NOISETOASTER.php MFOS Noise Toaster].
== Atari Punk Console ==

⚫
The [[Atari Punk Console]] is one of the simplest audio-generating circuits. There are [[CV]]-controllable versions available, however,''they do not track voltage'', and so are not suitable as melodic voices.

==== Schematics ====

* [http://recompas.com/portfolio/the-voice-of-saturn-synthesizer-mk-i/ Voice of Saturn Synthesizer MK I], based on the APC and includes CV.


== External links ==
== External links ==
* Kristian Blåsol's [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyE56WXw0_5Q5QGMEXWmskuhojKyRdA3T Modular In A Week] (MIAW), YouTube
* Peter Edwards' [https://web.archive.org/web/20051215132820/http://www.casperelectronics.com/ Casperelectronics] website and [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-optxul3FrunxcuQlMYbrg Casper Electronics DIY synth building] YouTube channel.
* Sam Battle's [https://www.lookmumnocomputer.com/ Look Mum No Computer] website and [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCafxR2HWJRmMfSdyZXvZMTw Look Mum No Computer] on YouTube.
* Chris Beckstrom's [https://web.archive.org/web/20191216005628/https://chrisbeckstrom.com/2019/11/15/getting-started-in-synth-diy-first-steps/ Getting Started in Synth DIY: First Steps]
* [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRbjRzRH7DfGdyUK0ptKbzp72qwDG5NTC Easy beginner kits!], Synth Diy Guy, YouTube
* [http://electro-music.com/forum/forum-169.html The layout factory], stripboard layouts of modules, electro-music.com forum
* [https://www.modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=68000 stripboard compendium], Mod Wiggler Forum, Sep. 2012
=== General sources of schematics and layouts ===
=== General sources of schematics and layouts ===
⚫
* [http://electro-music.com/forum/forum-169.html The layout factory] at Electro-music.com has hundreds of strip-board layouts for various modules. The [http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-56660.html Schematics Vault] also lists lots of schematics in one thread.
=== Kits, PCBs and panels ===
* [https://www.bartonmusicalcircuits.com/synthstuff.html Barton Musical Circuits] - slightly more advanced projects.


{{Split to|[[Passive mult]]|3 July 2019}}
⚫
* [http://electro-music.com/forum/forum-169.html Electro-music Layout Factory] has hundreds of strip-board layouts for various modules. The [http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-56660.html Schematics Vault] also lists lots of schematics in one thread.
⚫
[[Category:Simple synth DIY]]

{{stub}}
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[[Category:Synth DIY]]
[[Category:Modular DIY]]
[[Category:Schematics]]
[[Category:DIY kits]]

Latest revision as of 20:12, 4 March 2023

This page is intended to be a format-agnostic (can be built for Eurorack, 4U, 5U etc.) list of simple but useful electronic music projects.

If you're new to DIY electronics, please read the synthesizer do it yourself page first.

For more complex all-in-one synthesizer projects, see Category:Projects.

synthesizer modules are defined and differentiates from components such as amplifiers, oscillators, filters, etc. by having voltage control.[1]

Entry level projects

Designed more for simplicity than high performance. Good enough to get an introduction to some basic principles of Synth DIY. Using just a handful of components and easily built on stripboard or perfboard.

Passive circuits

Passive circuits don't require powering.

  • CGS real ring modulator and CGS real ring modem -
  • Moog passive filters -
  • Passive mult - Probably the easiest module to possibly build, all you need is some jacks, some wire, and a soldering iron. This module allows you to split a signal to be sent to multiple destinations. Passive mults are not suitable for V/octave CV control, because the voltage may drop when split, due to varying impedances in the destinations
  • Vactrol VCF - This can do interesting things right away unlike a VCO which doesn't do much interesting on it's own.

Active circuits

Active circuits need some Volts for power.

See also

References

  1. ^ Vladimir Ussachevsky: A Bio-bibliography by Ralph Hartsock, Carl John Rahkonen, Greenwood Press, 2000, ISBN 0313298521

Further reading

  • Electronic Synthesiser Construction by R.A. Penfold, Bernard Babani, 1986, ISBN 0-85934-159-3 - Typical Babani pocket-book. It contains details for making a basic synthesizer with the usual VCO-VCA-VCF voice, including an ADSR envelope generator, and several simple sequencer circuits. Online at E-Music DIY Archive.
  • Handmade Electronic Music: The Art of Hardware Hacking by Nicolas Collins, Routledge, 2009, ISBN 0-415-99873-5. A guide to the lowest tech electronic music possible; circuit-bending existing toys, moving on to building simple oscillators, filters, amplifiers using CMOS circuits. Simple, inspiring projects that work and will get you started in music DIY.
  • Make: Analog Synthesizers by Ray Wilson, Maker Media Inc., 2013, ISBN 1-4493-4522-0 - easy to read, contains a lot of practical advice about soldering and construction. A more accurate title would be How to build the MFOS Noise Toaster.

External links

General sources of schematics and layouts

Kits, PCBs and panels

This page has been split to Passive mult on 3 July 2019. The history of this page serves as the attribution history for the contents of that page, before then.

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