Synth Build: Cabinet and Metal Panels

I used three 10 foot tall 4/4s of cherry wood for the construction of this cabinet. A fair bit of preparation had to occur before I could even start making the actual cabinet. In order to get the proper width and height of the cabinet I had to rip, cross cut and glue quite a

Synth Build: Modeling the Chassis

This is a tentative physical model of what the modular synth is going to look like. I’ve created one VCO module an placed it where it will probably go in the final product. The labeling of the other modules is not very set in stone. One of the objectives of this prototype was to help

Synth Build: Harmonizer

I implemented this prototype as something between a look and feel and an implementation type model. There was not constructed onto a panel, but the sound and situational usability is what was explored here. I made what I call a harmonizer circuit on a breadboard to tweak and refine a design idea that had been

Synth Build: Sequencer

Second only to the MIDI to CV circuit, this is the most complex module of this synthesizer. Most of the complexity is due to the fact that it’s a 16 step sequencer. That means to control each step there must be pots and switches. The original design of this panel had linear steps. The LEDs

Synth Build: MIDI to CV

This is easily one of the most complex and difficult parts of the synthesizer. This circuit is responsible for taking the MIDI controller’s input (keyboard) and turning it into a 1V/octave control voltage. This control voltage will be used to drive the VCOs and make them sound out the proper notes. This circuit also needs