Elektor Formant - The 70s DIY Synthesizer

video upload by Alex Ball

"A look at an Elektor Formant DIY synth built by Bruce Newman in the late 70s.

Big thank you to Bruce and Chris ‪@Cellar92Sessions‬ . Head to their channel to watch my synth live performance.

0:00 Intro Jam
1:20 What was the Elektor Formant?
3:38 Demo 1: Elektorial Spank
5:02 Interview with Bruce part 1
7:33 Demo 2: Key-Bored
8:44 Interview with Bruce part 2
10:49 Summary and Formant Reissue
11:46 Patron Outro Jam

With thanks to my Patrons
www.patreon.com/AlexBallMusic"

See the Elektor label below for additional posts.

GreyScale - Phase2

"GreyScale 'Phase 2'
In addition to recording the evolved operation of the central generative sequencer, KOSMOS,
this video also features the behavior and interaction of Hikari Instruments Duos and the Sequential PolySequencer.
Relive the development process of this generative sequencer, which moves as if it "sings" on its own,
through logs from the actual instrument and performance footage.
KOSMOS's phrase generation algorithm, tempo fluctuations, and the nuances of rising singing.
The unique interaction of Duos.
The structural movement of the PolySequencer.
Each individuality is connected as a single flow within the GreyScale worldview.
DIY synths, generative music. Phase 2 is an archive that records the behind-the-scenes creation and the moment when an instrument grows.
----
GreyScale 「Phase2」
中心となる Generative Sequencer KOSMOS の進化した動作記録に加え、
Hikari Instruments Duos、Sequential PolySequencer の挙動や連携の様子を収録。
ハードウェア単体で“歌う”ように動くジェネレーティブ・シーケンサーの開発過程を、
実機のログとパフォーマンス映像で追体験できます。
KOSMOS のフレーズ生成アルゴリズム、テンポ揺らぎ、上昇歌い上げのニュアンス。
Duos の独特なインタラクション。
PolySequencer の構造的な動き。
それぞれの個性が、GreyScale の世界観の中でひとつの流れとしてつながっていきます。
DIY シンセ、ジェネレーティブ音楽、Phase2 は、創作の裏側と“楽器が育っていく瞬間”を記録したアーカイブです。"

Sampler-Synth M5STACK TAB5 (ESP32-P4) demo sound

video upload by zcarlos zc

"ESP32-P4 DRUM MACHINE V-SAMPLER / SYNTH
Sound demo of my DIY drum machine based on samples and a synth engine.
'This is not a jam' :)

Hardware:
M5STACK TAB5
Shopping link:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_EvUGwd2

Synth engine:
Wavetable engine.
Sampler: WAV files on SD card 44100Hz, 16 Bit, Mono
16 sound polyphony.
A track can be sampler or synth
Multi OSC feature..

Sequencer:
16 step/pattern editor and random generators (pattern, sound parameters and notes)
16 memories (each 16 patterns of 16 tracks)

Code:
https://github.com/zircothc"

From Magazines to MASSIVE MODULAR // Erica Synths Elektor Formant

video upload by Starsky Carr

"The legendary Elektor Formant DIY modular synth from the 1970s is back — and this time it’s beautifully recreated by Erica Synths. In this in-depth demo and review, I explore the history of the original magazine-built Formant, the DIY ethos behind it, and how this modern recreation captures that vintage analogue modular magic.

Originally released as a self-build project through Elektor magazine, the Formant required builders to etch their own PCBs, source components, and assemble modules like the VCO, VCF, envelopes and more. It was true synth-nerd dedication. Now, Erica Synths has made that iconic system accessible again — without the UV PCB lab in your garage.

In this video:

🎛 Overview of the Erica Synths Formant system
📖 The history of the original 1970s Elektor DIY kit
🔊 Sound demos: VCOs, filter tones, modulation & patching
🎚 Performance insights (including Synth East)
🤔 Is this the ultimate vintage modular revival?"

Finishing the mini organ build

video upload by organfairy

"I play it at 4:57

So the time has come to put this little thing in a cabinet and make it look like something that can actually be played. This is basically what I do in this video.

The music is some disco-ish thingamabob I made using my Boss DR-202 drum machine slash groove box, Elka EP-8 organ, Boss ME-50 effects unit, and Yamaha SY-1 synthesizer."

Gerostrat - hacked siren - noise synth

video upload by Интуитивная звуковая среда

"Gerostrat - шумовой синтезатор - игрушка для нойзера. Трещит и свистит, глитчит и гудит. :)

Все звуки кроме микрофонных с шумового синтезатора Gerostrat. Записаны в лупер октатрека и пропущены через его дисторшен.

Шумовой объект сделан мной в феврале 2026 года."

Googlish:

"Gerostrat is a noise synthesizer—a toy for noisers. It crackles and hisses, glitches and hums. :)

All sounds except the mics are from the Gerostrat noise synthesizer. Recorded in the octatrack looper and run through its distortion.

This noise object was made by me in February 2026.

Shmøergh Moduleur DIY overview

video upload by Shmøergh

"Wanna build a Shmøergh Moduleur? The whole shizzle is open source, and the complete build documentation is available here: https://www.shmoergh.com/guides/modul...

Files and firmware:
https://github.com/shmoergh/moduleur"

Mudras Standalone Synth Prototype

video upload by IC Alchemy

"Mudras Standalone Synth Prototype
Uses the same LIDAR technology from the Mudras Eurorack module to control all parameters in a 4 voice standalone synthesizer.
Still very much in the experimental stage, but it works, and everything will be open source.
Also features our own custom magnetic encoder when you don't want to use the LIDAR.
LIDAR + Magnetic encoder = Something New?"

Mudras Eurorack Playlist


currently available at icalchemy.com

Playlist:

1. New Way to Sequence Eurorack Control Voltages
2. Mudras Eurorack Gesture Sequencer Demonstration
3. Quick Start Mudras Eurorack Gesture Sequencer
4. Live Looping Eurorack with Mudras Gesture Sequencer
5. Major Scale on an early Mudras protype
6. Using our Mudras Eurorack Module Live #eurorack
7.

You've Never Seen A Modular Synth Like This

video upload by Dots

"What if the sky could make music?

In this video, I check out a modular synth setup that might be one of the most unusual I’ve ever seen — a system driven by live air traffic.

Planes overhead aren’t just passing by… they’re shaping the sound.

Let me know what you think — and what else should be turned into music?

Big thanks to Rich for talking through his system!"

Flight based modular controller.

Ashoken Farewell again, this time using the new Haxocorder

video upload by MIDI IN

"I've been keeping a vlog on my 'second channel' about building my dream wind instrument, the Haxocorder, based on the open-source Haxophone. I now have a usable Haxocorder although it still needs some refinements,
Here's a link to pt 3 in the series:"

Building a Haxophone pt 3 - the first Haxocorder in the world!

video upload by shieladixon

All parts:

1. Building a Haxophone : Part one - the whys and wherefores, buying parts
2. Building a Haxophone : Part two - a working Haxophone!
3. Building a Haxophone pt 3 - the first Haxocorder in the world!

"The haxophone open-source hardware project
https://github.com/cardonabits/haxo-hw"

Marcus Dunn aka lonesoulsurfer DIY Modules

video uploads by Marcus Dunn

Playlist:

1. 7 Channel Mixer For My Modular Synth.
2. Medusa - Sound Effects for Modular Synths
3. Buffered Multi for Modular Synths. Powered by Arduino
4. Digital Delay Module - Powered by Arduino
5. Bleep - Modular Drum Synth - powered by Arduino
6. Solar - A Modular Synth, Powered by Arduino
7. Groove Box Modular Synth - Arduino Nano
8. Freaq FM Synth. My Take on the Awesome MeeBleeps Synth
9. Mutant Generative Synth - Powered by Arduino

Additional details on each:

CLICK FOR MORE »

GreyScale-KOSMOS #greyscale #kosmos #generative #sequencer

video upload by plantssystem

"KOSMOS – a generative sequencer built on GreyScale – controlling the legendary Prophet‑5.
This short clip captures KOSMOS creating evolving melodic patterns in real time, while the Prophet‑5 responds with its unmistakable analog tone.
A small brain driving a giant synth.

#generativemusic #sequencer #prophet5 #raspberrypi #diyinstrument #euclideanrhythm
---
GreyScale ベースのジェネレーティブシーケンサー「KOSMOS」が Prophet‑5 をコントロール。
KOSMOS がリアルタイムで生成するフレーズに、Prophet‑5 がアナログの深い響きで応える瞬間を収めました。
小さな装置が大きなシンセを動かす、その“生命感”を感じてください。"

"tbish" update on "synthiota" board, jam starting at 1:20

video upload by todbot

"Start at 1:20 for a little fun jam.
Got some time to work on "tbish" TB-303 emulator in CircuitPython.
This video shows some of the updates.
The updates include:
new mapped_pot_controller to allow the pots to have different modes
sequencer has separate lane for slides so that accent & slide can happen on same step
tbish_synth now has 4 different waveforms to choose from
can edit the sequence steps, both notes and accents/slides/mutes
can switch between sequences
can adjust bpm & steps_per_beat
actually using the LEDs

code and schematics: https://github.com/todbot/synthiota

#tb303 #circuitpython #raspberrypipico"

previously:

"tbish" almost on "synthiota" board

video upload by todbot

Synth East 2026 Final Update

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Synth East is this weekend! Saturday is all sold out, both the daytime Expo and the evening Gig. If you have spare tickets, please get in touch as I have a list of people who would love to buy them off you!

Still room on Friday:
https://norwichartscentre.co.uk/event...

And a couple of seats left in our DIY workshop on Sunday:
https://norwichartscentre.co.uk/event..."

GreyScale-KOSMOS #raspberrypi #pico #rp2040 #midi #sequencer #algorithmic #generative #kosmos

video upload by plantssystem

Follow-up to this post.

"KOSMOS – A Compact Generative Sequencer Driving the Prophet‑5

This short clip features KOSMOS, my standalone generative MIDI sequencer, controlling a Sequential Prophet‑5. KOSMOS creates evolving melodic patterns and rhythmic variations in real time, while the Prophet‑5 provides its unmistakable analog warmth and depth.

The performance is completely autonomous — no DAW, no external processing — just KOSMOS generating the sequence and the Prophet‑5 responding with its classic tone.
It’s a small glimpse into how KOSMOS interacts with hardware synths and how expressive the pairing can be."

An eyebrow-raising MIDI controller for $35

video upload by Floyd Steinberg

"Mediapipe + OpenCV caused a big stir some 4 years ago, but I never got around trying it myself. Until today, and of course I'm sharing my results with you. This Open Source software can detect gestures, poses and facial expressions and transform them to so called landmarks that can easily be used for all kinds of shenanigans (in this example: controlling your synths).

00:00 introduction: what's this?
00:38 demo 01: playing chords + bass + controlling filters
01:32 hardware needed
02:12 installation
02:56 what are OpenCV and Mediapipe?
03:55 this example explained: reading landmarks, converting to MIDI
06:35 demo 02: controlling an arpeggiator
07:37 demo 03: controlling filter cutoff frequency and pitch bend with my eyebrows
09:21 demo 04: playing pads on Akai MPC Live 3 with backing track
10:10 conclusion / do the YouTube thing!"

Where to get the stuff: [affiliate links]
Mini camera: Amazon DE | Amazon US
RasPi Zero 2: Amazon DE | Amazon US
SD card: Amazon DE | Amazon US

Installation instructions

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
pip install mediapipe opencv-python --break-system-packages
git clone https://github.com/mrfloydst/eyebrowr...

then python3 ./hand.py or python3 ./eyebrow.py

HÄLP ZIS CHANNEL
https://www.patreon.com/floyd_steinberg
https://floydsteinberg.gumroad.com/
https://floydsteinberg.bandcamp.com/"

Fooling around with the Haxophone for the first time

video upload by MIDI IN

"This is a little music that I recorded as part of my vlog about building the Haxophone, a series that's on my second channel:"

Building a Haxophone : Part two - a working Haxophone!

video upload by shieladixon

"In part one of this vlog I had ordered and received the pcbs, 3d printed parts and most of the components. In this part I finish the first one and try it out."

Part 1 of this series:

CLICK FOR MORE »

GreyScale – A Standalone MIDI Sequencer KOSMOS Powered by Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040)

This one is in via GreyScale aka plantssystem whose videos you have likely seen on the site.

"GreyScale is a compact, self‑contained MIDI sequencer built entirely around the Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040).

Its minimal hardware footprint hides a surprisingly deep generative engine, combining Euclidean rhythm generation, step sequencing, probability control, and evolving melodic behavior.

The clean GreyScale UI provides immediate visual feedback — step activity, Euclid parameters, probability states — all rendered on a crisp LCD. A joystick and four dedicated buttons offer fast, tactile control, keeping the workflow musical and instrument‑like rather than menu‑driven.

GreyScale runs completely standalone with standard MIDI output, making it an ideal partner for hardware synths, desktop modules, or DAW setups.

Designed for spontaneity and long‑form generative performance, it encourages exploration and rewards experimentation. A small instrument with a refined feel, GreyScale blends DIY charm with a polished, modern sequencing experience."

Update: demo here.

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X1L3 - ALLEYKAT - DEV - ALL SYSTEMS OK - 8580sid - 3 voice test demo

video upload by X1L3

"ALL SYSTEMS OK ! ! ! !

The last one until it's a module.

Everything is in place. It's time to draw up the boards for it and submit it to fab for a test run 🔥🔥🔥

No denying that it's quite capable of recreating the sound of the C64........

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yuyo cmos synth - First try Attiny85 dco with analog cmos shaping and twin t filter

video upload by JIANT

"everything is from the synth to the zoom recorder, twin t drums, xor snare, pt2399, and cmos stuff.

attiny85 reseting the phase of 40106 oscilators, the digital control accepts 1voct from keysetp and go to the 40106 inputs through resistors, a little rc for filtering the pwm, and for this reason when you change the oscillator frequency you can get intervals and crazy stuff. is not orthodox but suits my need for Rich timbres. the dco goes to 40106 buffers , and then 4040 dividers, twin t filters, one for each of the two voices, one goes to env, vca, filter, delay, and the other one to clock divider and filter, to get the sub osc.

firmware super simple only for checking the conversion from filtered frecuency of the attiny85 to my 40106 non exponencial vcos.
currently is tracking 10 octaves really good, the trick is put a voltage divider in the cv in of the attiny because keystep has 0 to 10v and the attiny accepts 0 to 5v tehn the tracking inside the attiny converts o.5v oct to 1 volt oct. i dont know anything about coding but i made it with chat gpt and my design . source code will be in the coments ."

Previous videos:

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