I have been conducting a series of music electronics workshops in conjunction with Switched On, the awesome Austin synthesizer shop. In the November 2011 workshop we build a new mini synthesizer that I designed.
It is a simple CMOS synth, but it has a lot of features:
Two audio oscillators
Two LFOs – one per oscillator
Pseudo ring modulator effect – the classic CD4011 XNOR circuit
Attack/decay volume envelope – the even more classic single transistor VCA
Master volume control and separate volume controls for each oscillator and the ring mod
Five passive low pass filters for wave shaping of the LFOs, oscillators and ring mod
Three modes: constant sound, gated (using the pushbutton) or repeated
Repeat circuit with separate controls for on time and off time
Built in amplifier and speaker as well as 1/4" output jack
The cardboard box enclosure is a bit of fun. One of the best parts of DIY synth is building the enclosure. I have seen, and built, all sorts of enclosures, but I think this might be the first synth built into the box that the parts come in.
If you want to build one yourself, just follow the diagrams below. Given that the preceding sentence constitutes the complete build instructions, I would consider this at least an intermediate level project. Of course, if you do want to build one and have any questions, feel free to contact me. I am always happy to help. The below diagrams are also available in this PDF file, which also includes the bill of materials. Oh, and you can use any enclosure - it doesn't have to be cardboard!
I actually have eight three kits leftover from the workshop. The kit contains everything you need except the hookup wire. The kit is only $50 while they last. If you would like to purchase one, contact me.
I am the EEWeb featured engineer of the week! When they asked to interview me, I was a little reticent because all I do is make weird noises and their usual featured engineers are working with NASA or building neural imagers (actual rocket scientists and brain surgeons). Then I figured, hey, it's all electronics! Check out the interview.
Electronic components distributor Newark recently asked me to road test the chipKIT Uno32, a 32-bit Arduino UNO compatible development board based on the Microchip PIC32MX320F128H Microcontroller.
I took another run at bending a bird song calendar. I wanted to do something more complex with it than I did the first time . I had planned to enter it in the Second Annual Moog Circuit Bending Challenge, but alas, I did not finish it in time. Oh, well, there’s always next year, and in the meantime, I have this cool bird piano – the Birdianoforte!
The stock functionality of the bird calendar is quite simple – just press a button to hear a bird sound. The Birdianoforte is quite a bit more complex, and far more playable as a musical instrument.
In addition to the standard kit, effect box and Eurorack module versions of the Ring Modulator, sometimes I am asked to create a customized version for a customer.
If you are interested in a customized version of a MickeyDelp.com/Delptronics product, or even a completely custom built device, just contact me and we'll discuss it.
News
