Synthesizer do it yourself: Difference between revisions

 

== Ability and know-how ==

 

== Tools ==

 

{{Main|Electronic design automation}}

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]], [[Autodesk EAGLE]], [[KiCad PCB EDA Suite|KiCad]] or [[DIYLC]].

 

== Kits and PCBs ==

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" />

 

 

 

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" />

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" />

 

 

=== Books ===

''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.

 

=== Web sites ===

{{Main|Online resources}}

 

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page Wikipedia] is a great resource. [http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/ All About Circuits] for well explained stuff. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121227110224/http://www.doctronics.co.uk/resources.html Doctronics] is a good reference for [[Integrated circuits|ICs]] when you're not sure what something does. At [http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~lanterma/sdiy/datasheets/ Aaron's Synth DIY] there is a list of useful parts. At [http://www.birthofasynth.com/Thomas_Henry/Pages/VCO-1.html Birth of a synth] there are some DIY modules, with explanations, for example the [[VCO-1]]. Although it is better to practice with very simple circuits before starting this kind of project, even though this is a fairly simple circuit.<ref name="sdiy-may-13">The Synth-diy Archive, [https://web.archive.org/web/20141010194214/http://dropmix.xs4all.nl/pipermail/synth-diy/2013-May/thread.html Hello, and some questions], May 2013</ref>

 

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 ==

* [[Datasheet]]

* [[Electronics books]] for books about electronics.

* [[Magazines]]

* [[Online resources]]

* [[Patents]]

* [[Schematics and manuals]]

* [[Synthesizer books]] for books about synthesizers, etc.

* [[Videos]]

 

== External links ==

 

[[Category:Contents]]

[[Category:Schematics]]