Not sure how much of a clone of the real thing this is, but it definitely looks impressive. Title link takes you to more details and shots."The picture above shows the Synthi A clone almost complete. Some mods I have added are arrowed above. First on the oscillators 2+3 I have added audio/LFO frequency switching. On oscillator 1 there is variable synch with oscillators 2 or 3 (switchable). This synch sounds excellent..! In addition I have added switches on all 3 oscilltors that allow a choice of either frequency or waveshape modulation via the control input columns on the matrix patchboard. This is a really worthwhile mod in my opinion..lets you have pulsewidth modulation of oscillators 2 and/or 3 via oscillator 1 for example. I added 3 tiny gren leds above the corresponding matrix columns on the frontpanel. When you switch from frequency to waveshape modulation..the corresponding led lights up to remind you of that."
Certainly looks a lot more substantial than the real thing. That's one of the factors that always kept me away from wanting a Synthi A or AKS: the physical build quality was so cheap, I've never seen one that's not had some sort of case problems.
ReplyDeletewhat r u talking about?
ReplyDeleteNot wanting to detract from the effort that has gone into this project but hasn't it been nearly finished for a few years now...?
ReplyDeleteNot sure, but why does that matter?
ReplyDeleteHow long it's been finished is of no issue.
ReplyDeleteIt is much like the hits this blog receives or how long it's been online.
It makes no difference one way or another.
Its a shame some of the very best synth makers are just diy guys with no aspirations of releasing commercial products or even selling their designs. I'll bet the sound and buld quality on this little beast puts most of the current modular mfrs. to shame.
ReplyDeleteI think anon means it's old, is because it's like vapor ware. It's cool too look at, but no mp3s or any other info will be forthcoming.
ReplyDeleteIt comes off as sort of tease..
Not that it's not cool to look at, but I question why someone would work that hard on something and then it drop off the face of the earth.
Hi guys..actually I am the person who built this. Indeed it is a few year old now but time constraint on my day job and other issues in my life meant that it is only in the past few months everything is finally tweaked and working. I plan to update my whole synth diy pages and put samples of sequences etc from the synthi A clone and the synthi A + VCS3 in tandem controlled from a wasp keypboard via an ems pitch to voltage converter ( dont ask me why :D). Heck I might even start making some music again(well thats the plan) ..after too many years spent soldering ... :D
ReplyDeleteHi Steve, shoot me an email when you've completed the updates and I'll put up a new post. You can find my contact email on the bottom right of the site.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to make available at cost, the three circuit boards that make up the EMS VCS3 and Synthi A British synthesisers, would anybody be interested?
ReplyDeleteThe boards would be of high quality and silk screened printed with component part numbers, and of course a supplied full BOM for populating the boards. Best regards D.
Send me an email (contact info on bottom right of site).
ReplyDelete