Making Your Own Synth.

[Alex Howl]

I was curious if anyone here was into making their own synthesisers. No, I don't mean making VST patches, or anything to do with software for that matter. I'm talking about physical synths. Made from scratch.

Anyone into that stuff? This stuff has just recently interested me - I just love the Math!

[Kreepr]

I just love the Math!

I literally read just that.

And I know of a video of how to make a midi controller, but a synth? That's just way to hard, you need experience in C++ (for the framework, you can't just outsource), actual synthesis and how oldschool synths work.

[dmlandrum]

And I know of a video of how to make a midi controller, but a synth? That's just way to hard, you need experience in C++ (for the framework, you can't just outsource), actual synthesis and how oldschool synths work.

I think he's referring to building actual hardware, although having embedded C coding experience would still be a big help.

I've been coming up with ideas and designs for various hardware synths I want to make, but I usually get stopped by the cost of the parts. If I can find work this summer (I'm a broke university student - studying electrical engineering) then maybe I can finally buy the parts I need to complete a couple of them.

[izotonik]

some years ago I had an idea...


...

[Gastly]

some years ago I had an idea...


...

That looks like the easiest way to make everything

[izotonik]

very easy, of course. it's a troll synth! mai dream.. all in wheels. front and back magic.

[Rmonik]

Hey man. Lol at everyone starting with this now, but i'm actually planning on making my own modular synth myself. If you're not yet on it, muffwiggler.com has a pretty good DIY section. Where are you with your electricty knowledge?

[Alex Howl]

@Kreepr+dmlandrum
Yeah, I am talking about a physical synthesiser. Although the more complex digital synths do require coding. The coding itself is probably easier than you'd think, mostly due to the fact that there's so much freeware out there these days. To add to that, coded/digital components are almost purely optional; there's more than one way to get the result you desire.

@izotonik
Once upon a time I imagined a keytar like that...

@Rmonik

Tbh, my understanding of electronics is pretty basic. I'm currently in my first year of study in mechatronics engineering and science (if you didn't know, mechatronics = mechanical + electronics). That being said, I'm pretty good at self-teaching when I have the motivation (which, I'll admit, can sometimes be short lived). At the moment I'm pretty lost - I quite literally don't know where to start. My ulterior goal thus far is to make a simple analogue monophonic synthesiser that can produce sine, saw, square (w/ PWM) and triangle waves with a ladder filter, where the frequency (and nothing else) can be controlled by digital means (MIDI or USB). This will be controlled by a yet-to-be-made Wicki-Hayden MIDI keyboard. Yes, I know, Ive most likely set my sights too high.

I suppose the key point there is that I want to make it analogue. I may as well make the best that is possible (I'm a stubborn perfectionist). I just don't see the point of making a hardware digital synth if the same thing can be replicated on any computer. Analogue is supposed to be better sounding as well. However I do realise that there's a lot that digital can do that analogue can't, and digital is a lot easier due to the number of ICs that simplify everything.

[Rmonik]

I think the best idea here is to start with some basic non-permanent circuits (use a bredboard or whatever), really easy stuff. A VCO is much, much easier to make than a midi controlled synth, so you'll probably want something that converts midi to CV. There are loads of schematics and turorials Online for this stuff. And an analog synth is actually much much easier than a digital, so you're in luck! Digital circuits require very precise calculations and components.

[J4P4S]

Controllers aren't that hard to make. But a synth on your own? I wouldn't know...