Building a synth ?.

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alexsunny123
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Feb 04, 2021 1:16 am

Building a synth ?.

Post by alexsunny123 » Fri Feb 05, 2021 5:36 am

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has ever built a synth? Is it possible and is it expensive? Does anyone know where i can get schematics or website so i can find stuff on how to build one?


thanks
alexsunny

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analogmonster
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Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:50 am
Location: Germany
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Re: Building a synth ?.

Post by analogmonster » Sat Feb 06, 2021 7:34 am

I did.

I built two modular systems over the years, a Formant and a Moog System 55 clone:
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There are tons of schematics and forums available on the web, YouTube tutorials etc.

Examples:

https://sdiy.info/wiki/Online_resources
http://www.muffwiggler.com/
https://electro-music.com/forum/index.php?f=112
...

So to answer your questions: Yes, it is possible, because I managed it, and belive me, if an ordinary person and electronic autodidact like me manages it, everybody can manage it. I never studied electronics or so.

Of course, there are cheaper hobbies, but the charme of DIY is that you can spread the costs over the time, AND IT IS DEFINITELY A LOT CHEAPER THAN BUYING AN OUT-OF-THE-BOX SYNTHESIZER!!!

And you are really unlimited. A modular system for instance can grow forever, limited only by space and grumbling girl friends or wifes, especially if DIY. If you build a 902 or 904B clone for instance, it is up to you whether you build 1, 3, 5 or 10 pieces or whatever.

And the learning effect is tremendous. Building a synth showed me what's happening inside a synth, what circuit has what effect and so on.

On the other hand you must be aware that it takes time. And there will be throwbacks, frustration and debugging activities when something is not working properly. These events will surely occur, and a lot of people give up then. And - being an owner of an original Moog will always be the coolest synthesizer status ever - I am a big fan - but I unfortunately never could afford one (except an original Moog Prodigy).

Or you buy a Moog AND build your own synthesizer :) Anyway, have fun!

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