Zorlon Cannon

flickr by nakedintruder.

"Zorlon Cannon, 5HP FFT Butterfly Blank, repackaged CGS Real Ring Mod"

Title link takes you to more.

Modular Synth DIY

Remember this gorgeous modular?

Previous Posts

Title link takes you to matthias [fonik] herrmann's Modular Synth DIY page with more.

"Rather a musician than an electronics engineer I was always looking for new sounds. This finally(?) let me to modular synth. Once I purchased some Dopefer modules for a modular guitar effect the plan rose to build my own modular synth... this was about 2 years ago and I never held an soldering iron in my hands before.
I (accidentally) decided to build the synth in eurorack format, so I built a cabinet from ProMa (actually the provider of Doepfer) and incorporated a Power One Dual Output Power Supply. That spared me a lot of money if I really would have spent a thought of the expensive Doepfer cabinets, though I use a Doepfer Bus PCB for the first cabinet. For the 2nd cabinet I etched my own Bus PCBs.
The modules are built from Ken Stones (CGS Synth), Ray Wilsons (MusicFromOuterSpace) and Tom Gambles (EFM) PCBs mainly.
The following pages will show my efforts. And remember, the page is still under construction..."

Techman Modular

Title link takes you to a post on sequencer.de on Techman Modular. I can't see the image in the post or get to the Techman site myself, but hopefully you can. I'm guessing it's ISP problems on my end. I'll just have to try later.

Thanks to Moogulator of sequencer.de for sending me the image for this post.






Here's the list of modules from sequencer.de (links after the hop):

Modules in Top Cabinet 2 (Left to Right)
1 x CGS 26 Analog Logic
1 x Equinox VC Phaser
1 x Triple VCA
1 x Sample & Hold & Slew Generator
1 x State Variable Filter
1 x Supperladder 3
1 x Control 3
1 x Octal Resonator
1 x Voltage Contolled ADSR/VCA
1 x Dual Lag
1 x CGS 29 Wavemultiplier
1 x Dizzy Power Distribution Board (mounted on rear panel)
Based mainly on Oakley modules designed by Tony Allgood at Oakleysound
& Homebrew P3 Sequencer DIY Version

sfumato

"I forgot about this song. I made this a while ago. I used my modular on this a lot. Lots of dark sci fi FM noises with a very dreamy meloncoly pad from the Korg DW8000. Smoky hazy."

Title link takes you there. Via pete.

Update via pete: "The modular is a combination of, MOTM, CGS, some DIY stuff I built like some Digisound stuff, and three Thomas Henry XR VCO's. I also got a sample of the CGS gated comparator up. Check it out. I took my synth to the AH Cali event. Check out the pics of my modular here."

Modular Show and Tell

Modular via amos_joseph on this electro-music.com thread.

Here are the modules I used:

4 MFOS VCOs
2 MFOS LP Filters
2 MFOS Variable Filters
2 MFOS Dual VCAs
2 MFOS VC LFOs
2 MFOS Sample & Hold
2 MFOS Noise Cornucopia
2 MFOS ADSRs
2 CGS Mixers
1 CGS Psycho LFO
1 Paia MIDI to CV
2 Custom Mult modules
1 Custom Glide module
1 Custom 1/4” to banana module

"I used paia frac racks to mount everything and designed all the panel layouts myself. They’re based roughly on Blacet layouts because I think Blacet really knows how to pack a lot of control and I/O into the smaller euro form factor. I used a photo-sensitive aluminum called ID Mark to do all the panel art, which gives it a very “professional” look.

As you’ve probably noticed, I really like Ray Wilson’s designs and I doubt I would have even attempted this beast of a project without his site. His modules sound great, his VCOs track beautifully (all four will stay in tune for at least 5 octaves), and his documentation is just about the best I’ve ever come across….and you can’t beat his prices, either."

pinky vs the incubator

"tube synth - neon VCO driven by pinky's sequencer (look for the blue glow of the neon bulb near the top right tube) pinky - Paia VCOs driven by super psycho lfo, sequencer and EG into Steiner VCF, CGS mixer, the whole lot thru a tube pre-amp. output on 'scope at the start"

YouTube via cirtcele. Sent my way via frederic. Remember Pinky?

Furious LFCO (low freq. chaotic oscillator)

This one in via Gerald:
"In this one, X is modulating a CGS Bi-N-Tic filter, X-dot-dot is modulating a Blacet StonZ phaser, and X-dot is modulating the mix of these two sources. A Bleep Labs Thingamagoop is hanging out, communicating on some primal level with the oscilloscope. Unfortunately, his squelches aren't audible this time - he's just there to look ultra-cool.More details / schematics, and a PCB layout at: link."

Another video:

"A video, and some audio recorded later of the Furious Low Frequency Chaotic Oscillator. The audio is of the x and x-dot-dot outputs modulating a lowpass and bandpass filter respectively, while the x-dot (first derivative) mods the PW of a square-wave. The freak knob is adjusted, then the offset knob."

Synthacon VCF Ken Stone MOTM Synthesizers.com

No title link. Just a shot via this auction

"This module is a "tribute" module from Ken Stone, based on the awesome Steiner-Parker Synthacon VCF.

Unlike the original, this version allows signals to be fed into all inputs simultaneously. If the same signal is used in all inputs, the result is reminiscent of a phaser.

The real fun starts when you feed different signals into each input, then you get a frequency based "interpolating scanner", where panning between different sound sources is possible, though also subject to the frequency at which they are running. I have never heard an effect like it before.

This is a great filter, by the way, with lots of character. It sounds very Moog ladderish with the low pass input, and mixing VCOs into the LP, HP and BP inputs gives some great effects."

I love the knobs on the module.

Pinky

Title link takes you to more info on Pinky, a DIY synth.

"pinky has mostly cgs boards - gate sequencer, with preset and cv, digital noise, 2 tube vcas, steiner vcf, 2 bandpass filters, passive ring modulator, envelope generator, joystick-nipple, super psycho lfo, psycho lfo and dc mixer. cheers Ken! Also Paia dual VCOs and modulator"

via Frederic

Thebridechamber

"We build synthesizer modules and provide various things you'll need to build your own. So far, 4 of our modules are based on the circuit boards of Ken Stone and one module of our own design. Ken Stone is an Australian circuit designer with a versatile and playful frame of mind which is greatly to be praised. We are Bridechamber - what more can we say?"

Title link takes you to what more they can say.

via sequencer.de

"Groovy Synth Babes"

After putting up the Oldschool Sound post, I was curious how many "Groovy Synth Babe" shots I might have up. I went through my photo archive for my posts and found the following 32. 32 out of 3210 posts. Each number below is a link to the post. Enjoy. My personal favorite, number 17, pictured. : ) Two extra thrown in for good measure.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34.

Patch Memory - New Flickr Shot

flickr by unrest. Note the Buchla and Oakley labels. Anyone know who makes the Burst Generator?

Update via the comments: "The Burst Generator is a Ken Stone module."

Catgirl Synth

I previously posted on Ken Stone's Catgirl Synth (CGS). I was reading the Analog Renaissance article by Electronic Musician and noticed that CGS was featured along with this shot. Now that would be one cool module to have in your modular. I couldn't find a higher res shot, so if you find one please comment and I'll update the post with it. Title link takes you to the CGS site.

logo-64

gerald of logo-64 sent in the previous post on Babyland. I decided to check out logo-64 and liked what I heard. I noticed the following listed as band memebers: gerald - synths : S.A.M. - C64 vocals. I was curious what S.A.M was as well as the modular in the shot and any other synths he used. gerald replied with the below (also be sure to check out the update at the end of this post for an interesting bit of trivia via Cynthia Webster of Cyndustries). Title link takes you to the logo-64 MySpace page.

"S.A.M. - a speech synthesis program for the C64 "Software Automatic Mouth" The modular is my DIY synth. Paia, Blacet, CGS, and EFM modules. Plus a "FracSid" - midibox SID in a modular format with 6 analog CV ins, 8 analog and 2 gate outs. Will take some pictures, record some sounds and make a web page about the FracSID some day... probably put it up on my erinys site.

Synths used for logo-64

Elektron Machinedrum
Elektron Monomachine (by the way, it ships with a preset I made for it - B6, kit22 "gerald", the benefits of being a beta-tester!)
Access Virus Indigo
DSI Evolver
OB Matrix1000
Yamaha DX200
Crumar Performer
Nord micromodular
Casio SK-1, SK-5, SK-60, RZ-1, CZ-101, HK-700, RapMan
Yamaha CS-01
Roland TR-55
Simmons SDS8, SDS400 and clap-trap
Commodore SX-64 with midi-cart and M-64 (http://gallium.prg.dtu.dk/anyware/)

That's all I can think of right now - lots of junk scattered about... all of the synths below the Nord were thrifted."

Update: Interesting bit of trivia via Cynthia Webster of Cyndustries:
"the S.A.M. Software Automatic Mouth listed as a band "member" in Logo-64, was software written back in 1979 or so ago by none other than Designer Mark Barton of Cyndustries Zeroscillator fame, (he wrote the MacinTalk speech synthesizer program a few years later as well!)"

Electronotes

Electronotes is a newsletter like publication on DIY music synthesis that started back in 1972. I hadn't heard of it until Sneak Thief posted the following in the comments of this ASM-2 post:

"It sounds good because the ASM-2, synthesizers.com & several CGS modules are based on a series of DIY plans released in the early 70's electronics publication called Electronotes: http://electronotes.netfirms.com/

In 1975 the authors of Electronotes, Bernie Hutchins, wrote a book called the "Musical Engineer's Handbook" - both the Electronotes series and this book have basically been the reference and inspiration for a good portion of todays modular synths.

In fact, Don Buchla, Bob Moog and Serge Tcherepnin were all subscribers to Electronotes and were definitely inspired by the schematics, and even contributed their own to the magazine.

I would even go so far to say that almost every current modular manufacturer has "borrowed" designs from the Electronotes series ; )"

Fascinating. What's also interesting is the publication still appears to be running and has changed with the times:

"Specifically, our information relates to the technical details of music synthesis and other sound processing, both equipment and methods. In the 70's, we were involved with voltage-controlled synthesizers, and more recently, we are involved much more heavily in digital signal processing and digital sound synthesis. At the present time, we are involved with a comprehensive review of both analog and digital signal processing. "

Title link takes you to there.

Sneak Thief's ASM-2 Modular

Title link takes you to the building process including more shots and samples.

Update via Sneak Thief in the comments:

"It sounds good because the ASM-2, synthesizers.com & several CGS modules are based on a series of DIY plans released in the early 70's electronics publication called Electronotes: http://electronotes.netfirms.com/

In 1975 the authors of Electronotes, Bernie Hutchins, wrote a book called the "Musical Engineer's Handbook" - both the Electronotes series and this book have basically been the reference and inspiration for a good portion of todays modular synths.

In fact, Don Buchla, Bob Moog and Serge Tcherepnin were all subscribers to Electronotes and were definitely inspired by the schematics, and even contributed their own to the magazine.

I would even go so far to say that almost every current modular manufacturer has "borrowed" designs from the Electronotes series ; )"

Melbourne, Australia DIY Modular Synth Builders unite

For those of you in Australia, Ross Healy asked me to post the following. Sounds like a great idea.

"Melbourne, Australia DIY Modular Synth Builders unite

In the Spirit of the 60's Modular synth builders....

Modular Synths cost way too much for Australians to import (I know I
just bought a 5 panel Serge Modular Synth) so kits seem to be the best
option, but for a noobie to solder and build here is an idea...

This idea came from *Serge Tcherepnin and the 60's spirit.

I have a classroom in the centre of town that we could use on 1
Saturday a month to get together and build modular kits. W*e would all
buy the same board and parts ( say of a Ken Stone - Low Pass Filter) and
build it all on the same day, this would enable people with no knowledge
to be next to people with no knowledge and in the process have fun.

I am collecting names of people who are interested, I am hoping to get
10 - 15 people max interested (already have 5 people, all you need to do
is get involved in the spirit ..., pay nothing except for the Board,
parts, and your own solder etc. and come along..

Contact Ross Healy healyr@tpg.com.au and I will start to get the ball
rolling."

The Sonic Emulsifier

Title link takes you to more. Via Frank Vanaman. Update: Looks like Carbon111 beat me to it on Synthwire! I was wondering when this would happen. : ) Oh well, the more the merrier in my book.



"I call it the Sonic Emulsifier, a name coined by someone at work who knows nothing of analogue synthesis or sound processing."

"The History:
It started out with a WersiVoice card, which is basically a triple BBD contraption that was very commonly installed in Wersi organs, that gives both ensemble and rotary speaker effects, and, for its time, was actually pretty decent sounding. What it turned into:

(1) the Wersivoice BBD device
(2) a Ken Stone bandpass filter (SH-5 Bandpass clone)
(3) a Ken Stone Real Ring Modulator (two transformers, four diodes)
(4) a Paia “Roctave divider” board
(5) a multi filter band pass unit tuned to vocal frequencies (based on the VP-330 filters)
(6) a 566-based VCO using Thomas Henry’s schematics
(7) a 4-in, 1-out DC mixer, and
(8) a 4-way mult

The VCO is there basically so that if you want to use the ring modulator with a single input, there’s something there to modulate with. It’s a strange assortment of things, some of which are included because I happened to have the boards sitting around (like the PAiA Roctave).

I couldn’t resist the desire to make something that looked “technical’ from the front. The big central dial is the main frequency control for the oscillator. Pots to the upper left control the PAiA divider; pots to the right are for the mixer, the oscillator has an output attenuator control (left of the big dial) and a wave-shape sweep control (to the right of the big dial). Switches at the bottom left select the Wersivoice modes, switches to the bottom right control the selection of groups of filters in the vocal filter matrix.

Nothing’s blown up yet, so I’m assuming I’ve managed to put it all together right the first time.

MP3s? Eh, eventually…"

Frank

Catgirl Synth - Modular DIY

Title link takes you to Ken Stone's Modular Synthesizer site.

"It is a collection of notes, circuit diagrams and stories about the creation of my modular synthesizer, the "Catgirl Synth" as it has been dubbed by others. This synthesizer is mostly analog, and is based on the 1 volt per octave standards set by Moog."

Via ben shannon illustrator.

The Ocean - True Analog Synth by R.J.Vleck 2005

Title link takes you to a post on this absolutely stunning analog synth. Sent my way via Dennis Verschoor. Make sure to click through for more shots. Thanks Dennis!



Details:
Oakley spul:
3 x VCO (Oakley Sound)
2 x ADSR/VCA (Oakley Sound)
1 x VC-LFO (Oakley Sound)
1 x Equinoxe Phaser (Oakley Sound)
1 x Super Ladder Filter (Oakley Sound)
1 x MidiDAC (Oakley Sound)

Eigen PCB's:
1 x Ring Modulator (EFM design)
1 x Power Distribution Board
1 x Dual VCA (EFM design)
2 x Dual CV Mixer (EFM design)
1 x Sample & Hold (Ray Wilson design)
1 x Steiner Synthacon VCF (Ken Stone design)
1 x LAG (EFM design)
1 x Main Ouput Bus & Headphones Preamp (Ray Wilson design)
1 x Noise Source (Polyfusion design)
1 x VCO Octave Switch