Analog Synthesizers

Hello fellow lainons! I do not consult the imageboard much for any advice. However, I thought that this topic would make for an interesting thread. I am in the process of researching ways to develop an analog synthesizer. From my knowledge, there are many ways to build an oscillator, specifically a voltage controlled oscillator or an oscillator that produces sound. Are there any lainons out there that know anything about analog synthesizers?

>>2910 I know next to nothing but I'm interested in this topic as well. It's one of those things I've thought about, once some of my other many projects are done I'll try. I am definitely interested in collected the needed information though and learning more about synthesis in general.

>>2910 I recently discovered digital synthesizers and MIDI keyboards and I felt in love (amsynth is fuarrrking awesome). Dunno If I will have enough time to make analog one, but I definitely would like to do it someday. Count me in!

>>2911 I must admit, synths and synthesis is a complex topic. There is so much to take in and discover. >>2916 How is that working about for you?

Atari punk console: https://www.instructables.com/id/Build-an-Atari-Punk-circuit-on-a-breadboard/ Baby10 sequencer: https://hackaday.com/2016/01/14/oh-baby-baby10-build-a-classic-analog-music-sequencer/ Those are two basic projects that I think many people start out with. 555 chips are quite versatile. If you want to move on to more complex stuff, I'm sure there's enough to last you a lifetime: Ken Stone: http://www.elby-designs.com/webtek/cgs/cgs.htm Jürgen Haible: http://jhaible.com/legacy/ Thomas Henry: https://www.birthofasynth.com/Thomas_Henry/TH_main.html Befaco (all modules have schematics available): https://www.befaco.org/en/ Mutable Instruments (almost nothing is analog, but might be of interest. Schematics + source code available): https://mutable-instruments.net/ Muffwiggler might be worth checking out: https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/index.php I'm not a pro, but if you have any questions I can probably help.

If you don't mind his ADHD antics, look mum no computer on youtube is a good channel for synths. He uploads random project videos, music and also some tutorials on analog and digital synths.

>>2910 I have been looking for a simple voltage controlled sine oscillator circuit for quite a while but they don't really seem to exist.

>>2924 Sine waves are difficult to generate, so usually it doesn't make sense to make a sine-only oscillator. It is easier to make other kind of wave and turn it into a sine. Triangle-core oscillators are popular, they filter the harmonics out of a triangle wave to create a clean sine wave. This oscillator has a sine output: https://www.birthofasynth.com/Thomas_Henry/Pages/VCO-1.html

>>2921 Thank you for the links kind lainon. >>2922 I have heard of him. I used to watch him, but like you said his obnoxious ADHD behavior turned me away. >>2924 Because they are not really simple to generate.

>>2925 I know that but you need different filters for different frequencies so now you need a variable rc filter which is also really hard to do.

>>2922 Sam is an absolute legend tho.

>>2910 I got mad myself when midi applications demanded one of those piano type keyboards over and over until I found a silly sounding one that worked 'well' that needed only the keyboard.

Great thread. I'm not super clued up on analog synthesizers but I do know about sound synthesis. I could provide resources if people are interested in the more mathematical side of it? Some methods once you have your sin waves sorted: -Additive/Subtractive Synthesis -AM/FM Synthesis and if you want to get techincal -Finite Difference Schemes / Finite Element Schemes

Hey nice Thread. Just discovered this channel and though i'd share it with you because this is as cyberpunk as it gets without using an actual computer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ1B0Epr770 looks pretty easy to make

>>2910 >image Do you have a non-thumbnail of that synth? I wanna look at that cable lacing and other electronic neatness so bad.

>>4374

Electronics guy here. (Not a sound/music guy in any way) There is a certain book I would like to recommend if you want to build exact oscillators and well, sound generators (oscillator with [op]amp). It's called Razavi Microelectronics. I don't have an e-book for it but I have followed it countless times while learning. One note should be that theoretic designs vary a lot when you put it into practice. Also I advise making sine oscillators and modifying the waveform there.

>>4386 No problem! Thank you I will certainly check it out. I'm OP, haven't been back to the imageboard in a while. Great to see this thread still has contributions. I've been so busy working to keep up with making a synth. :/

>>4372 this circuit is very easy but you have to have the exact right transistors or something. some work some don't. also the sound needs to be amplified. it's very finicky. t. tried literally every 2n3904 I had. there's gotta be some better ways to make a drone machine other than a 40106 chip but I dunno any.

Yo so I saw this and wanted to comment about a little toy casio synth that a friend of mine had. We were really wasted when he showed it to me but somehow I decided it must be using resonant circuits to do it's thing. Think each key has it's own capacitor and then when you push the key down it gets put in parallel with an inductor. My electronics are pretty fuzzy and my memory of the thing was distant.

>>4578 I'm planning to mess with this little soykaf (picrel). >>4570 tfw no monitor head gf.

I remember that good website about that topic was http://musicfromouterspace.com/ with great projects (from easy to really advanced) Pic related

>>4704 Thank you Lainon, will dig it.

I found this really awesome video recently I think you guys (and really any lain) would like. It is about a guy rigging his prosthetic arm to control his synth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSKBtEBRWi4

>>4372 that dude's channel is hilarious, he makes some really sick stuff, like his demo of the yamaha cs-80 is interesting as well as i think he did a sega megadrive console? >>4607 tfw no monitor head girlfriend indeed

>>4372 >Just discovered this channel and though i'd share it with you because this is as cyberpunk as it gets without using an actual computer if u don't count arduino...

>>4704 MFOS is great, also recommend getting circuits of old synthesizers and replicating. Arp 2600 for example. And yeah sine waves are hard to make perfect and is usually created by filtering a triangle wave. I have alot of documents/schematics etc but its on another computer. Might be able to get ahold of them in a month or so but its basically radio magazines ive gathered from the net with schematics and SDIY articles. Also check SDIY mailing lists. I build analog synthesizers part time to pay my University tuition and its stupid what people pay for analog synths. Please dont steal my job. Also anyone understand the deal with the Serge synths, why are they so goddamn expensive. Its supposed to be affordable synthesizers it ridiculous. And these bucla clone by roman, whats the deal with him. Very cryptic and you cant really order anything. Alot of schizos too and old men. A few traps too kinda funny.

>>4999 Oh right almost forgot, yusynth is really good too! >GET 5000

>>4974 Yeah that project is kind of an exception though. It's actually really impressive how he can just whack together creative analog and solid state oscillator circuits and such. He's got a whole rack of gear he basically made himself. It's a refreshing break from a lot of similar channels that just do glorified advertisements for various eurorack modules.

Aside from opamps, which are some common ICs for analog synths that are a must? I'm seeing that in many schematics, some logic ICs are used, so I'm thinking about some 74xx series NANDs and inverters, however, I'm confused because many of them seem to be identical to one another (74x14 and 74x19, for example), and I'm wondering if it makes that much of a difference, or even, if I should use some from the CD4xxx series instead.

I have a bunch of CD cmos chips what should i make lads?

>>5478 SOUND!

I'm surprised there are so few new analog vacuum tube synthesizers with the popularity of vacuum tubes among audio-fools. I've been thinking about working with my friend who builds tube amplifiers on one. There aren't many components in a monophonic synth like the ondioline. A fully restored novachord is my dream instrument, but I don't have that kind of money or time. >>4999 >I build analog synthesizers part time to pay my University tuition and its stupid what people pay for analog synths. What volume do you deal with, and do you do custom PCBs or just work on perfboard?

>>4999 is your synth making business completely online based or is it word by mouth?

This might be a useful resoource for anyone interested in making their own from scrarch. Pretty detailed stuff

>>2910 How have hardware synths changed your workflow and the way you make music? It just seems like such a black hole sink your money into, especially considering you can just pirate basically everything you will ever need. If i were to start buying soykaf i'd go dead broke, that's why i tend to scodoodle with diy stuff.