2,211
edits
Synthesizer do it yourself: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
mNo edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
Line 1:
[[File:MIDIBox SID (by Max Farnea) inside 2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Insides of a [[MIDIBox SID]] by Max Farnea.]]<categorytree mode=all style="float:right; clear:right; margin-left:1ex; border:1px solid gray; padding:0.7ex; background-color:white;">Contents</categorytree>'''Synthesizer Do It Yourself (SDIY)''' or '''Synth DIY''' is about creativity, making, modifying, or repairing [[electronic musical instrument]]s and related equipment yourself. Many people with an interest in [[electronics]] and [[music]] are now discovering that a Synth-DIY project is feasible.<ref>[http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/index.php?MAINTAB=SYNTHDIY Synth-DIY] at Music From Outer Space.</ref> More advanced synth DIYers design and build their own [[synthesizer]]s. What’s needed is a design, parts and tools, and especially the skills.<ref name="sos">[http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan00/articles/netnotes.htm ''Build Your Own Synth Websites''], Sound On Sound by Ken McBeth, Jan 2002</ref> Unless assembling relatively inexpensive circuits like the [[Atari Punk Console]], synth DIY can be an expensive pastime.
''This article, <!--(along with the [[Main Page]])--> is intended as a top level page. You should be able to browse the whole wiki from here.
''
== Ability and know-how ==
The single most important factor in synth DIY is your skills. You'll need to be able to read and understand [[Schematics|circuit diagrams]], identify [[electronic component]]s, and [[fault-find]] non-working circuits.<ref name="ks">[http://www.cgs.synth.net/modules/index.html Ken Stone's Modular Synthesizer site]</ref> The best way to learn is by building. Pick a small project to start with, to find out how you get on.<ref name="st">Synthesis Technology's [http://www.synthtech.com/tutor/tutor1.html ''Getting Started in the Synth DIY World'']</ref>
== Tools ==
The least [[tools]] you can start with are a good soldering iron, a desoldering pump or braid, fine wire-cutters, long nose pliers and a decent [[digital multimeter]].<ref name="sos" /> Also useful are an [[oscilloscope]] capable of DC coupled input, a solderless [[breadboard]], a bench power supply, a [[function generator]] and a [[frequency counter]].<ref name=mfos">[http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/index.php?CATPARTNO=&PROJARG=ELECTRONICS%2Fgettingstarted.html&MAINTAB=SYNTHDIY&VPW=1342&VPH=761 ''Getting started in electronics''] on Music From Outer Space by [[Ray Wilson]]</ref>
=== EDA ===
For more advanced DIY there is also the requirement for suitable [[electronic design automation]] (EDA) software, for the ''[[schematic capture]]'' (design of schematics), [[PCB layout]], [[Gerber files]] etc. such as [[gEDA]], [[CadSoft EAGLE]], [[KiCad]] or [[DIYLC]].
== Kits and PCBs ==
{{Main
{{See also|PCB and kit suppliers}}
[[PAiA Electronics Inc|PAiA]] have been producing analogue synth [[kit]]s since 1967. The [[PAIA Fatman]] is a complete synth to build from a proven design. It has two [[VCO]]s and a good [[VCF]] similar to that of the second-series [[ARP Odyssey]]. The schematics are easy to follow and anyone is allowed to build it providing they don't market it as their own.<ref name="sos" /> There is a selection of links to bare [[Printed circuit board|
== Designs ==
If you are not creating your own, there are already a number of designs to choose from. From individual [[modules]] to large systems based on classic [[CV/gate]] controlled [[analogue]] synths, (such as the [[Moog modular]]), to [[MIDI]] controlled devices as with the [[open hardware]] [[MIDIbox]] project. As well as [[sequencers]], [[samplers]] and associated equipment such as [[efects units]] and [[amplifiers]].
To have reliable designs to work from, use circuits tried and tested by previous SDIYers. Refer to the list of [[Synthesizer Do It Yourself#external links|external links]] section below for where to research for these.
=== Magazines ===
{{Main
In the 1970s [[Electronic hobbyist]] magazines such as [[Practical Electronics]] (PE), [[Wireless World]], [[Electronics Today International]] (ETI) and [[Elektor]] were at the forefront, publishing designs for the synth builder. To build some of those designs, one needed a firm grasp of electronics and constructing even the smaller models was not easy.<ref name="sos" />
Things changed when ETI, in conjunction with a company called [[Powertran]], released the design and a kit of parts for a single-oscillator synth called the [[Transcendant 2000]]. The article (by [[Tim Orr]], formerly of [[EMS]]) was well planned, and Powertran provided everything you needed, down to the last nut and bolt, even including a mains plug. It was very popular, and spawned a range of synths including the [[Transcendant Polysynth]], which was the kit-builder's [[Jupiter 8]] without the memories. In 1979 ETI also published schematics for the [[Digisound 80]] modular. This, like the Transcendant Polysynth, featured [[Curtis Electro Music]] synth [[chips]]. The CEM chips made kit building much easier.<ref name="sos" />
The Elektor [[Formant synthesizer]] design was published in 1977/78,<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20070110103220/http://www.euronet.nl/~rja/Emusic/Formant/ ''Formant Modular Analog Synthesizer''] by Rick Jansen</ref> also modular and based around [[Moog Modular]] styling. Another early ETI design was the [[ETI International 4600|International 4600]] and its descendants, the [[ETI 5600|5600]] and [[ETI 3800|3800]] synths, which were distributed as kits by [[Maplin Electronics]]. The 4600 and the 5600 featured a [[pin matrix]] for [[Patch|patching]] similar to that of the [[EMS VCS3]], only larger. However, these synths proved overly complex for the amateur constructor.<ref name="sos" />
Bear in mind that magazine designs are frequently inaccurate or incomplete. The [[Practical Electronics Analogue Sequencer]], for instance, published in April 1977, will not function correctly without the modifications published in September 1977.<ref name="sos" />
=== Schematics ===
{{Main
The Moog Modular manual is huge and contains all the schematic diagrams and some of the setup and calibration notes, but beware. Although the designs are all there, some of them use parts which may be hard or impossible to get hold of. It also has to be said that some modules, such as the [[oscillator]]s and [[envelope generator]]s, were better implemented in later designs such as the second-series [[Minimoog]], [[Prodigy]] and Rogue. Schematics for the latter two are extremely readable, as are the associated setup notes, and the circuits work.<ref name="sos" /> Another synth from the past which makes a good construction project is the [[Oberheim SEM]] (Synthesizer Expansion Module). This synth isn't too difficult to construct, and features a [[voltage-controlled state-variable filter]].<ref name="sos" />
Using circuits from a former commercial product, using a schematic from a service manual can also be problematic, as these too can contain errors.<ref>[http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=93081&start=all&postdays=0&postorder=asc EFM 4622
=== Books ===
{{Main
''Build a better music synthesizer'' by [[Thomas Henry]] was a good introduction to [[modular synthesizer]] construction. ''Electronic Music Circuits'' by [[Barry Klein]] describes the circuitry involved in modular synth design, in more depth. It is a good starting point to learn the technology as well as electronics in general.<ref name="sos" /> However for both of these books some of the components may be no longer readily available.
''Electronotes'' and ''Preferred Circuits Collection'' by Bernie Hutchins is the definitive DIY circuit & theory collection. Still in publication, although more [[DSP]] based.<ref name="st" />
=== Web sites ===
{{Main
There is an introduction to SDIY at [http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/ Music From Outer Space], as well as parts and kits available for purchase. Use the [http://wayback.archive.org/ Wayback Machine] to view former websites, now no longer available.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikipedia] is a great resource. [http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/ All About Circuits] for well explained stuff. [http://www.doctronics.co.uk/resources.html Doctronics] is a good reference for [[Integrated circuits|
Aaron Lanterman's lectures [http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~lanterma/ece4803 ECE4803B: Theory and Design of Music Synthesizers], 2006 as well as [http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~lanterma/ems10 ECE4893A: Electronics for Music Synthesis], 2010 and [http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~lanterma/ems 2008] are available online.
== See also ==
* [[Videos]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
| |||