MATRIXSYNTH: DIY

Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

Friday, March 27, 2026

Three Phutney EMS clone PCBs, Tuned

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this Vemia listing

Click the auction link on top when you get there for additional listings.

"Set of Three Phutney PCB Cards – EMS VCS3 / Synthi A Clone A set of three fully built Phutney PCB cards for the EMS VCS3 / Synthi A. These are the highly regarded clone boards designed by Derek Revell, widely considered among the most accurate reproductions available for anyone wishing to recreate one of these classic synthesizers, or to replace cards in an original EMS instrument.

The boards were professionally assembled by an experienced audio engineer, using new old stock germanium and silicon transistors to get as close as possible to the character of the original EMS circuitry.

They have been extensively tested and calibrated in my 1975 EMS Synthi AKS. My original intention was to use them to build a VCS3 “Cloney”-style synth, but that project never materialised.

During testing, resistor values were carefully adjusted until the cards performed and sounded indistinguishable from the original EMS circuit boards.

The sale also includes: • Header and PCB solder-in edge connectors to simplify wiring during a build • A set of blue edge connectors with solder tags if you prefer the more traditional “old-school” wiring approach

All three boards are fully populated, tested, and confirmed working. As mentioned, they were bench-tested and run inside a working EMS Synthi AKS, allowing direct comparison with original EMS cards during calibration.

If you are planning to build a vintage EMS-style synthesizer, this is an excellent starting point, as the boards are already assembled, tested, and carefully tuned to match the performance and sound of a 1975 Synthi A / VCS3."

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Rare Custom DIY ARP-Style Analog Synthesizer – One-of-a-Kind Estate Find

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this eBay listing

"Offered here is a truly unique and intriguing analog synthesizer, discovered at an estate sale in Los Angeles belonging to a longtime record collector. This piece appears to be a custom-built or prototype-style instrument inspired by classic ARP designs—featuring elements reminiscent of both the ARP 2600 and later Odyssey models.

The layout, switching, and signal flow strongly reflect deep knowledge of vintage ARP circuitry, while the construction suggests a highly skilled builder with access to professional-grade metalwork and components. The unit is housed in what appears to be an ARP pedal synthesizer case, though the internal assembly is not permanently mounted—indicating this may have been a custom project or experimental build. It has one etched circuit board on a module and the rest are on perfboard with point to point wiring.

Notable features:

ARP 2600-style panel layout with Odyssey-style switching influences

Point-to-point wiring with included schematic diagram

Separate keyboard connected via cabling

Vintage analog components throughout

Powers on (unit lights up), though full functionality has not been tested

Whether this is a one-off custom build, a studio project, or an experimental instrument from a knowledgeable enthusiast, it represents a fascinating piece of analog synthesis history. With some restoration or calibration, it has the potential to become a highly expressive and unique instrument."

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

How to fix TRS MIDI for about $10


video upload by Musical Miscellany & More

"TRS MIDI is great but the fact that there are 2 standards makes it a nightmare. I got tired of dealing with it so I made this little adapter box. Life is so much better now. I thought I'd share it.

Intro - 0:00
The TRS MIDI problem - 0:28
Fixing the Problem - 3:25
Building the Box- 5:57

Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/musicalmisce..."

Some more videos about MIDI


And more Musical DIY Projects

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Mike's Multimoog Restore/Demo


video upload by synthpro

"Hey Guys,
In this video, I bring you along the adventure of a sick little Multimoog that now has a full bill of health. Thanks for watching!

Sincerely,
Jareth"

Monday, March 23, 2026

NE555 Counterless sequencer - 3: Radio buttons, transpose function, final assembly, and a demo video


video upload by organfairy

"The demo is in 3 parts: Manual mode 4:15, Sync mode 9:46, and external mode 14:07

'Radio buttons' is an expression used for a row of buttons where a button stays down when you press it. You press another button and the first one will pop up again while the other button stays down.
It is possible to make such a device with simple pushbutttons and a few logic gates instead of the complicated (and expensive) mechanical locking switches. This is what I explore in the beginning of this video - and it is actually exploring since I haven't used the concept before so I didn't know if it would actually work. I do know that the old Moog Taurus bass synthesizer used a similar idea for its preset buttons.

The music is also a kind of exploration project since I decided for the first time to (over)use the portamento function on my Elka X-30 organ in an arrangement. Apart from the organ I also use my Roland JV-35 for some of the parts"

Sunday, March 22, 2026

GreyScale - Phase3


video uploads by plantssystem

"GreyScale 'Phase3'
Centered around the Duos, the Poly-Sequencer receives its pulse, and sound rises up as a single structure. This series records the "acoustic architecture" created not merely by synchronization, but by moving with the same heartbeat. Minimal pulses shape the space,
and as the CS-10, Prophet-5, and Duos layer upon each other, you can follow the process of how GreyScale's unique three-dimensional sound develops.
This playlist is an archive of GreyScale's exploration of 'pulses create the world.'
----
GreyScale 「Phase3」
Duos を中心に、Poly‑Sequencer がその脈動を受け取り、音がひとつの構造として立ち上がっていく。
ただ同期するのではなく、同じ鼓動で動くことで生まれる“音響の建築物”を記録したシリーズです。
ミニマルなパルスが空間を形づくり、
CS‑10、Prophet‑5、そして Duos が層を重ねながら、 GreyScale 独自の立体的なサウンドが育っていく過程を追うことができます。
この再生リストは、GreyScale が探求する
「パルスが世界をつくる」アーカイブ。"

Playlist:

1. GreyScale-KOSMOS #greyscale #kosmos #soundfont
2. GreyScale-EVol #greyscale #evol #duos #prophet5 #polyseq #dr55 #mirack #synthesizer #ambient #noise
3. GreyScale-LiveZen #greyscale #livezen #duos #prophet5 #polysequencer #dr55
4. GreyScale-CS10Chaos #greyscale #cs10 #duos #prophet5 #electronicmusic #synthesizer #link
5. GreyScale-Traumreise #greyscale #traumreise #prophet5 #duos #synthesizer #electronicmusic #ambient
6. GreyScale-LiveZen Full
7. GreyScale-KOSMOS&PRA32U #kosmos #pra32u #raspberrypipico #rp2040 #generative #sequencer
8. GreyScale-KOSMOS v1.2.0 #kosmos #pra32u #ui #pcm5102 #generative #sequencer #raspberrypipico
9. GreyScale-KOSMOS Midi Randomizer

MicroDexed has evolved! It's very effective. #groovebox


video upload by Floyd Steinberg

"'Navipanel V3 for MicroDexed' (or MicroDexed Desktop - https://www.musikandmore.net/shop/ ) adds a nice user interface and many connections to the open source synth. Here's an overview.

00:00 demo
00:11 hi, what's this?
02:23 building it
07:44 hardware overview
08:52 software overview
09:30 synth modules: Dexed
14:12 Electric Piano
17:09 Microsynth
19:05 Braids
20:58 Granular Synth
25:35 Multisampler
27:19 Drum Sampler
27:47 Noise Maker
29:18 Sequencers
33:00 Conclusion
34:07 Help!

Links
New Firmware (works on existing devices as well) https://codeberg.org/positionhigh/Mic...
MicroDexed V3 - https://www.musikandmore.net/shop/
That electronic parts identifier: https://arnowelzel.de/en/m-tester

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

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Autobahn - Kraftwerk | The Midnight Special


video upload by The Midnight Special

Cleaned up version of the original previusly posted back in 2009 here.

EVA Maestro Oberheim Ring Modulator RM-1A Clone

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


This one was spotted and sent in via
M Me.

via this eBay listing

"We've received a used EVA/Maestro Oberheim Ring Modulator RM-1A Clone, which reproduces the sound of the Maestro Oberheim Ring Modulator RM-1A as faithfully as possible.

This is a highly specialized custom-made unit.

Created in response to requests from enthusiasts, this is the ultimate clone ring modulator designed to recreate John Lord's organ sound.

The layout of the input/output jacks, faders, and pin switches has been designed to closely match the original. Condition: B+: No issues for normal use"

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Alpha Juno VCF MOD


video upload by Maffez Synthmods

"Qiick an dirty demo of two modifications for the Roland Alpha Juno Series. 1. Self-oscillating filter, 2. Variable chorus depth. Check modwiggler forum under: https://www.modwiggler.com/forum/view..."

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Ratrod Ossc.6 6oscillators with 6 3.5mm & breadboard outputs with modulation 9v

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this eBay listing

"Custom made 6 oscilator synth with 6 -3.5mm outputs, 6 output & input breadboard connections. 6 coarse controls, runs on 1- 9v battery [included]."

How "Kalimba of Doom" was made


video upload by HAINBACH

"I recently made a little 20 second clip showing the "Kalimba of Doom" patch I had setup on my TTSH and resonators. This gathered over 850000 views across platforms, and many questions came in about how I made this. So here is the sound design how to. Check out my Patreon for the sample pack: / hainbach"

00:00 Intro
01:48 History & Inside Look
04:18 Sample instrument
05:08 Function Overview
12:38 Chiptune Break
13:42 What makes it good?
17:15 The Future of TI?

Kalimba of Doom

video upload by HAINBACH

Monday, March 16, 2026

Playing around with the CircuitPython Drum Machine


video upload by ReLiC

"I was having too much fun while testing my software...

Hardware: https://github.com/todbot/synthiota
Firmware: https://github.com/relic-se/CircuitPy..."

Defect Processor Buchla 289


video upload by Memetune Studio

"A few months ago I managed to snag a Defect Processor Model 289 made by Alex Pleninger (Keen Association) and Roman F

This hyper-rare module adds some appropriately bonkers digital FX to the Buchla 200 series system, by using two independent stereo digital effects units based around the rather interesting Spin Chip platform (it has two of them inside)

The module takes any audio signal and subjects it to various Spin Chip algorithms - there are 8 per section, and they are pre-set on EPROMS on the board behind the panel. The good news is you can swap out the EPROMS and change the 16 algorithms if you so desire, and you can even create your own if you get the Spin Chip programmer

I have a set that includes this insane delay patch. The module has CV inputs for some of the parameters (not many Spin-based products have this facility AFAIK) but here I am playing around with the delay times and feedback levels by hand

I’m also tweaking the 259 timbre, the LPG decay time, and the mix between Noise and VCO, and the Bandpass filter

Crazy sounds and defects abound!"

Sunday, March 15, 2026

GreyScale-KOSMOS&PRA32U #kosmos #pra32u #raspberrypipico #rp2040 #generative #sequencer


video upload by plantssystem

"‪@plantssystem-ufo‬ KOSMOS New in v1.1.0
PRA32-U Sound Engine Integration (Core1)
Powered by ISGK Instruments PRA32-U
The PRA32-U synthesizer engine is now embedded directly into KOSMOS.
Core0 runs the KOSMOS generative sequencer.
Core1 runs the PRA32-U sound engine.
KOSMOS can now output audio on its own, without relying on external MIDI devices.
This is the largest functional upgrade since the project began."

https://github.com/plantssystem/KOSMOS/tree/pra32u-core1-integration?tab=readme-ov-file

See the ISGK and GreyScale labels below for additional corresponding posts.

?Gitaar & ?TR606 & RC500


video upload by Gijs Gieskes

https://gieskes.nl/instruments/?file=...
https://gieskes.nl/instruments/?file=...

00:00 ..
02:17 The cassette player
02:34 ..
04:34 Drums and Guitar with distortion
07:03 I gave you my song




19-Channel Analog Stereo Vocoder and Formant System


video upload by Martin Jan Köhler

See the Hoerold label below for additional posts featuring the Hoerold vocoder.

Oberheim Matrix 1000 Clone Test (Voice 2 issue)


video upload by Martin Jan Köhler

Thursday, March 12, 2026

synthiota CircuitPython Drone Synthesizer Demonstration


video upload by ReLiC

"Full demonstration of the synthiota Drone. 8 Oscillators, 3 LFOs, effects, and more!

Hardware: https://github.com/todbot/synthiota
Software: https://github.com/relic-se/CircuitPy...
CircuitPython: https://circuitpython.org/

Libraries:
https://circuitpython-synthvoice.read...
https://circuitpython-synthiota.readt...
https://circuitpython-waveform.readth..."

Also see "tbish" update on "synthiota" board

CircuitPython Drone Synthesizer Demo on synthiota

video upload by ReLiC

"8-voice drone synthesizer written in CircuitPython for the Synthiota."

Software: https://github.com/relic-se/CircuitPy...
Hardware: https://github.com/todbot/synthiota

Turing Machine, Workshop System & Planet of the Apes! // Music Thing Modular at Machina Bristronica


video upload by DivKid

"It's a pleasure to look back at the last Machina Bristronica event (2025) and share this video with Tom Whitwell of Music Thing Modular from the DivKid Discussions stage. We talk about origins, Thonk acting like a record label, Turing Machines, Radio Music and the Workshop System which has inspired and built community and created collaborations, before rounding out on some unexpected connections to Planet of the Apes!

Machina Bristronica is taking a year off for 2026, but will be back in 2027. Check out videos from the DivKid Discussions stage, Machina news and updates and all about Music Thing Modular at the links.
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