Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Monday, September 07, 2026
Transposition and Patch Switching Box by The Electronic Peasant
video upload by epeasant
"A very useful modular synthesizer utility for VCO transposition and octave switching, as well as audio and CV signal switching.
The Transposition & Patch Select module features two six-octave switch banks, a one-octave keyboard, and four independent analogue signal switches. External volt/octave CV signals can be summed with the transposition controls, making it easy to change octaves or keys while playing or sequencing without repatching. The built-in keyboard also provides a gate output and can be used on its own as a simple control keyboard.
The four analogue switches can be used to quickly change audio or CV signal routing at the push of a button, making the module particularly handy for live performance and experimentation.
Constructed using discrete logic and analogue ICs with no microprocessor or programming required.
Complete construction details, photographs, circuit description, and the full schematic are available at The Electronic Peasant: www.epeasant.com/transwitch/transwitch.html"
"Changing keys, octaves, and patches at the push of a button!
A handy utility module for volt/octave transposition and audio/CV signal switching. Many modular synthesizer VCOs don't have built-in octave switching capabilities, which are useful for extending the range of a keyboard. Dynamically changing keys and octaves while using a sequencer is often not an easy or ergonomic process. Unplugging and plugging cables to modify a patch while playing can be cumbersome and inconvenient as well. This project provides the capability to easily and automatically do all of those things in one handy box.
The module includes a pair of six-octave latching switch banks, a one-octave switch keyboard, and four SPDT analogue switches. There is a combined output that mixes one of the octave switch banks with the keyboard output so that they can be used together, and the keyboard has a gate output included as well, so that it can be used as a freestanding keyboard. The keyboard circuit itself is adapted from Ken Stone's CGS10 Pedal board/Mini Keyboard project. Both of the octave switches and the keyboard include a CV input for precision summing of external volt/octave signals with each switch output."
See The Electronic Peasant for additional details.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: DIY, Electronic Peasant, New DIY, New Tools, News
LABELS/MORE: DIY, Electronic Peasant, New DIY, New Tools, News
The BOTANICA Sequencer: First Look
video upload by human.motives
Playlist:
1. The BOTANICA Sequencer: First Look at My New Project
0:00 Intro2. Botanica: Live Demo of My Custom MIDI Sequencer 3. BOTANICA - Sequencer Prototype | Try It Now
2:35 What is BOTANICA
4:00 Sequencer features
12:17 Jam demo
17:29 Outro
"I've been designing and building my own midi sequencer called BOTANICA. This hardware midi sequencer creates expressive sequences from simple patterns.
In this video I tell you about how I started this project (learning electronics and pcb design), a demo of the sequencer and the project status. You can get involved by playtesting, discussing in my discord channel and stay up to date.
Go to https://humanmotives.org/ for more information and links.
Timestamps:
A first look at the Botanica midi sequencer prototype. See how this custom hardware controls generative sound design.
I have been refining the design and interface of this new project for quite a while now. This device features a custom pcb and a tactile front panel, allowing for hands-on control over complex musical patterns. It is built for anyone interested in diy electronics and the process of creating custom musical tools from scratch.
Watching the digital display react to each knob turn is satisfying. Botanica is designed to push my generative music performances further, giving me more control over the output. It is a work in progress, but seeing it come to life on the workbench is a major milestone for this modular synth project."
"BOTANICA is in prototype phase with a small group of testers. After that, the first 5–10 units get built for sale."
"A natural sequencer that grows simple patterns into whole compositions."
FEATURES
Sculpt intricate sequences from 1 to 64 steps. Add, trim away, create space to add fills and variations.
TIMED PHRASES
Add timed phrases and variations to from 1/2/4/8 bars to continuous chance-based evolution.
GENERATIVE MELODIES
Seed melodies and dial in Root, Semitones and Range to taste. Color them with a preset scale (Seasons)
EXPLORE WITHOUT RISK
Turn knobs, modulate, experiment. Dial everything back to return to your original sequence and tones.
EXPRESSIVE REPEATS
Blossom adds timed MIDI repeats at varying intervals and velocity curves
TONAL OPTIONS
Pattern, Arpeggiator and Chord modes
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: DIY, human.motives, New DIY, New Makers, New Tools, News
LABELS/MORE: DIY, human.motives, New DIY, New Makers, New Tools, News
Wednesday, September 02, 2026
AI250 BXR Eurorack Test Equipment Demo Video
video upload by AI Synthesis
"The AI250 BXR is a eurorack module inspired by vintage nuclear test equipment. It can be used as an audio mangler, cv generator, and VCO. The BXR is a nod to vintage Boxcar Averagers, which were designed to acquire and analyze fast signals. The AI250 specifically replicates the real-time mathematical portion of a Boxcar Averager System, and processes audio or cv signals against either another signal or its internal v/o variable wave-shape VCO."
AI250 BXR Eurorack Test Equipment Build Video
video upload by AI Synthesis
Press release follows:
Portland, OR, USA September 2, 2026 – New for Knobcon, AI Synthesis has released the AI250 BXR in both a built and guaranteed version, as well as in kit and PCB/Panel format.
The AI250 BXR is a eurorack module inspired by vintage nuclear test equipment. It can be used as an audio mangler, cv generator, and VCO. The BXR is a nod to vintage Boxcar Averagers, which were designed to acquire and analyze fast signals. The AI250 specifically replicates the real-time mathematical portion of a Boxcar Averager System, and processes audio or cv signals against either another signal or its internal v/o variable wave-shape VCO. The internal VCO has 11 different voltage select-able wave shapes and can be played v/O.
It's also our first digital module, and runs on the Daisy Patch.

Depth: 39 mm
HP: 14
-V mA: 11mA
+V mA: 120 mA
“In the year 2000, I was in college and obsessed with modular synths, but could barely afford to eat. I knew it was possible to build your own synth, but there wasn’t anyone, or anywhere to turn to for advice. In the past decade, much more information has been published online, and in 2013 I started down my path to DIY modular. Even with all of the information online, there still lacked a single, simple, comprehensive guide for those looking to build their own synthesizer. I want AI Synthesis to be that guide. Prior to building my own synth, I was a dreamer, after building my modular, I felt I had awoken. I want to help others do the same.”
-Abraham Ingle
Founder, AI Synthesis
In addition to providing step by step build instructions, schematics, and circuit explanations, the site also includes a guide for getting started in modular synthesis, and a series of DIY Guides, with information regarding how Resistors actually work, and how to integrate a $26 scope into your Eurorack system.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: AI Synthesis, DIY, Knobcon, New DIY, New Modules, News
LABELS/MORE: AI Synthesis, DIY, Knobcon, New DIY, New Modules, News
Tuesday, September 01, 2026
EMS 256 Sequencer repair Part 5 Finale
video upload by Really Nice Audio
All parts
"Join me in this final video restoring this EMS 256 sequencer.
Watch me fumble around until I finally get the I/O scaled correctly!
Thanks to PCBWay for making the extender boards https://www.pcbway.com
This sequencer is part of the Pete Townshend Studio ay the University of West London.
https://www.uwl.ac.uk/study/study-fac..."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: DIY, EMS, synth guts, Synth Techs
LABELS/MORE: DIY, EMS, synth guts, Synth Techs
MoCM Fragments - DIVISION #short
video upload by MOCM (A. Monopolis)
"#moçm #arduino based #synth. compiled with cv divider function, effects, #tvoscilloscope ++"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Arduino, DIY, mocm, oscilloscopes
LABELS/MORE: Arduino, DIY, mocm, oscilloscopes
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Building a Noisferatu from schematic. Show-and-tell with brief demo
video upload by MIDI IN
"I've built a Noisferatu. I'm not really sure whether noise machines are my bag but I wasn't expecting some of the more melodic possibilities and I've found it way more addictive and enjoyable than I expected.
Hack Modular breadboard:
https://www.tindie.com/products/hackm...
Rob's Noisferatu kit:
https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/scaepe-n...
Rob's own site:
https://www.robertheel.com/++/
My stuff:
https://peacockmedia.software/hardwar..."
See the announcement post for Noisferatu here.
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Playing Light Like an Instrument — Open-Source LED Synthesizer
video upload by engmung
Note 1:43 in the video. Patternflow can be used as a controller via OSC.
"Patternflow is an open-source LED synthesizer — a 128×64 HUB75E matrix driven by an ESP32-S3, with four knobs wired straight into the pattern math. Turn a knob, and the pattern bends with your hand.
▶ Get one — Patternflow on Crowd Supply: https://www.crowdsupply.com/engmung/p...
Everything is open source: STL files, Blender sources, PCB gerbers, and firmware. The full build runs around $100 depending on where you order parts.
— What's in the video —
0:00 This is Patternflow
0:08 How it works
0:26 Build your own (~$100)
1:04 Make patterns in your browser
1:42 OSC — a pocket-size VJ rig
2:03 Why it's open source
Patternflow began with Nam June Paik's Participation TV (1963), the first work where the audience could touch the image. I wanted to go one step further — so I built an instrument where you make the image yourself.
The full story, from Paik to Patternflow:
https://patternflow.work/journal/nam-...
▶ Try it in your browser (no hardware needed): https://patternflow.work
▶ Build one — all files + build guide: https://github.com/engmung/Patternflow
▶ Join the builders — Discord: / discord
▶ Patterns, daily: / patternflow.work
Patternflow is sponsored by PCBWay.
#esp32 #ledmatrix #opensource #synthesizer #diy #maker #hub75 #mediaart"
Details:
Standalone LED visual synth with 4 rotary encoders and 128x64 RGB LED matrix (8,192 pixels).
Runs on ESP32-S3 with all generative visuals rendered live in real time.
Bidirectional wireless OSC support for Ableton (Max for Live) and TouchDesigner.
Internal hidden battery bay for cordless portable performance.
Over 150 community-created patterns and browser simulator.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: DIY, New Controllers, New DIY, New Makers, News, Patternflow, Video Synths
LABELS/MORE: DIY, New Controllers, New DIY, New Makers, News, Patternflow, Video Synths
Friday, August 28, 2026
He made a turntable synth & Built a DIY Drum Machine
video upload by Daisy
"Can I build an instrument with a turntable-inspired interface? Let's make a sampler synth that can record a sound and play it back as I spin a disc.
Documentation (parts list, schematic, software, & more): https://daisy.audio/blogs/seeds-n-cir...
Daisy Seed: https://daisy.audio/products/seed3
plugdata: https://plugdata.org/
About Daisy
Daisy is an embedded audio platform for creating musical instruments, effects, synthesizers, and other audio projects. Learn more at https://daisy.audio
Credits
Production team: Michael Corell, Andrew Ikenberry, and Takumi Ogata
Presenter: Takumi Ogata
Music: Eugen Schott (bensound)
Stock footage: Pexels
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:39 Designing the turntable interface
2:48 Rotary encoders are useful and surprisingly easy to program
4:09 Controlling the pitch of a sample
5:11 Controlling the position of a sample
6:46 Time to build!
8:42 Demo
10:36 Outro"
Building a DIY Drum Machine
video upload by Daisy
"Let's build a standalone drum machine using the Daisy Seed!
Blog version: https://electro-smith.com/blogs/seeds...
Get the Daisy Seed: https://daisy.audio/products/seed3
plugdata: https://plugdata.org/
Join the community:
/ discord
https://forum.electro-smith.com/
Sections:
0:00 Overview
3:37 Switch & LED Test
3:58 4-Step Sequencer
6:40 Hardware
8:01 Programming"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Daisy, DIY, New DIY, New Makers, News
LABELS/MORE: Daisy, DIY, New DIY, New Makers, News
Thursday, August 27, 2026
SpaceAxe - Recreating Retro Arcade Sounds ;;;;;Space Invaders;;;;;
video upload by TronixSynth
"Reproducing sounds from vintage arcade video games such as Space Invaders, Pac Man, Asteroids, Atari 2600, etc."
You cand find a previous model here, and the SpaceBass here.
Update: one more video:
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Chiptune, DIY, Guitar Synths, Tronix
LABELS/MORE: Chiptune, DIY, Guitar Synths, Tronix
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
KNOBCON FOURTEEN GUEST OF HONOR & an Update on Workshops and Informative Sessions
via KNOBCON
"We are delighted to announce Terry Michaels as our esteemed guest of honor. Join us at the annual banquet for his keynote address and to help us honor him.
Terry Michaels, AKA Terry Mikulic, designed the seminal relaxation-core oscillator published in Electronotes 62 by Bernie Hutchins: the highly accurate ENS-76. It is the most influential analogue oscillator design of the modern era. This circuit became the heart of hundreds of synthesisers, including Gene Stopp’s ASM-1, the Synthesizers.com Q106, and the muSonics Vanilla Oscillators. Through his synthesizer work, Terry founded a laser light show company called Laser Artistry in 1976. The company operated as one of America's elite laser show outfits until its final performance on December 31, 1999.
The annual catered banquet will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 7pm in the Sapphire Pavilion. Tickets are available as an add-on to your Knobcon attendance. Seating is limited."
Soviet RITM2 Repair
video upload by Really Nice Audio
"Join me on this nice repair of a RTM2 soviet era synthesiser.
The music in the video is from my ATMOS album 'Height Supremacy'.
This track has plenty of my own RITM2 on it.
When the power supply fails a great substitute is the Velleman project
https://whadda.uk/Item/velleman-k8042...
And if you experience the pitch gong flat no matter how you set the calibration, adding half a volt to the positive power rail can really help."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: DIY, SOVIET, synth guts, Synth Techs
LABELS/MORE: DIY, SOVIET, synth guts, Synth Techs
Monday, August 24, 2026
DIY Lo-Fi FM Drum Machine with Arduino Nano on Breadboard - A Few Beats
video upload by Waiting For Zyo
"Another DIY instrument! This time I used a famous microcontroller: an Arduino Nano (compatible, tbh), a few buttons, and some code to made a really basic (lo-fi) FM drum machine with a built-in sequencer.
Here are some of its features:
• 4 instruments: kick, snare, hi-hat, and tom
• 4 main sound controls: tune, decay, FM amount, and FM ratio
• 4 secondary sound controls: balance, pitch envelope decay, pitch envelope range, and FM feedback
• A full 16-step sequencer with swing and basic parameter locks and on-grid rolls
At the moment, it only has a basic audio output, so I recorded everything into Ableton and added a bit of filtering and some reverb.
These are four beats I made from scratch using only these basic parameters and the internal sequencer.
Enjoy!"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Arduino, DIY, New DIY, New Makers, Zyo
LABELS/MORE: Arduino, DIY, New DIY, New Makers, Zyo
How to use diode patch cable
video upload by Meska (Meska)
"Quick demo of how i use diode patch cable"
How to make : diode patch cable
video upload by Meska (Meska)
Thank you for watching. My name is Meska of the statik collective . I've been making mostly 'dark and expérimental' music for more than ten years now, i'v learn so much online, now it's time for me to share my knoledge, my exploration and this channel is a place to talk about the tools, sound design and techniques to make music with. You can stream my albums and EPs at https://statikwave.bandcamp.com/. If you'd like to support the channel consider buying music from bandcamp ;) Contact/booking: meskastatik@gmail.com"
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: DIY, eurorack, MATRIXSYNTH Members
LABELS/MORE: DIY, eurorack, MATRIXSYNTH Members
Roland TR-505 with Pitch Mod
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: Circuit Bending, DIY, Ground Grown Circuits, Roland
LABELS/MORE: Circuit Bending, DIY, Ground Grown Circuits, Roland
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Black Pill (BP Synth) build.
video upload by Craig Barnes
"A reasonable description of my Black Pill synth build into an M- Audio Axiom 25 chassis with a Teensy 4.0 based editor managing the sounds.
The github page. https://github.com/craigyjp/Black-Pil..."
"I created a hardware editor for the BP Synth to specifically fit it into the M-Audio Axiom 25 chassis.
The synth was created by Blaine at SyntheTech about 3 years ago. [2nd set of videos here]
To Do list
Replace screen 0 with one the same as the others.
Clean the main screen display
Add the Portamento switch with an LED instead of the LFO wave select.
Connect the transpose buttons to the Teensy so I can manage the transpose.
Make the footswitch input assignable to Arp Start/Stop, Glide on/off etc."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: BP Synth, Craig Barnes, DIY, M-Audio
LABELS/MORE: BP Synth, Craig Barnes, DIY, M-Audio
[$10] DIY eurorack modular synth MIDI to CV rev2 | 2CV 8Gate , Arduino nano based
video upload by HAGIWO
"My 92nd original eurorack modular synth DIY projects.
MIDI to CV rev2 , Arduino nano based 2CV 8Gate.
working documents (schematics)
https://note.com/solder_state/n/nba23..."
Friday, August 21, 2026
Serial Number One !!! Ready and Wonderful !!!
A new kind of audio FX - Sparkling Riser
video upload by SynTesla
"The Sparkling riser is a brand new kind of audio FX
This effect is achieved by stacking 12 lines of 'micro-delays' lasting a few milliseconds (6 lines per audio channel) The delayed sound is mixed back into the original sound, creating a comb filter.
Each delay line has a feedback loop, and the delay time is modulated by several LFOs. In addition to the LFOs, we have 12 VCAs (1 per delay line) whose levels are synchronized to the phases of each LFO.
But when the effect is on the "infinite rise" mode, as soon as we apply randomization to the LFO phases, something very strange happens:
'phantom notes' appear. We could compare this effect to concentric waves colliding to create a splash—a “spark” that, in our example, generates notes based on the frequencies and harmonic content of the sound. This 'spark' gives the effect its name: 'Sparkling Riser.'
This effect is directly inspired by a project we're working on with electronics genius Yves Usson."
nonlinearcircuits Dichotomy Paradox 1
video upload by cirtcele
"Updated version of Divine CMOS. Wonderful module for harmonically rich sounds or use as a complex CV patter and gate generator. Thought the LEDs were superbright purple but turned out to be a mild light blue."
via nonlinearcircuits
"This module has been thru a few cycles. The original idea for the design is from an article in Electronotes EN#98 by Lester Ludwig, spectacularly titled ‘A Square-wave Frequency-division Sub-octave Cross-product Module, it’s relationship with Lie algebra, and other related processes’ or more simply known as The Cross Product Module.
The frequencies of two VCO signals are separately divided by /2, /4, /8 & /16 ratios. The corresponding divisions are ANDed together and the results, along with all the raw divided frequencies are mixed together in various ways. You end up with a very harmonically thick, animated sound.
I did a full bloat CMOS (Ludwig’s design was TTL) version for a 4U panel back in 2008 or so, but changed the AND gates to XOR gates for a more ring-modulated effect. Then a minimal, slimmed down eurorack version, called Divine CMOS. This just used the XOR’d signal and outputted a signal determined by the pots.
After some requests for an expanded version, I re-visited the design.
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: DIY, eurorack, New DIY, New Modules, News, nonlinearcircuits
LABELS/MORE: DIY, eurorack, New DIY, New Modules, News, nonlinearcircuits
7555VCO 1
video upload by cirtcele
"Wide ranging sawtooth VCO with the hardest hard sync around."

via nonlinearcircuits
"Not the most exciting name, I simply wanted a 4HP sawtooth VCO to sit next to the Spectrum Shaper.
It is based on the Utility VCO in Electronotes EN67, which was based on designs by R. Tenny (Electronic Design 11/10/75), J.L. Brice (Wireless World (6/76) and others.
It tracks very nicely, turn the CV pot to max for 1V/oct, ranges from approx 10Hz to over 100kHz and supplies 10Vp-p sawtooth and square waves.
The Sync is the hardest of hard syncs around. I left out the capacitor usually used to turn sync signals into a pulse, so if you feed a gate or slow CV signal into Sync the VCO simply stops, think of it is a bonus VCA. Of course, if you use an audio rate sync signal, it works as normal.
It is a pretty easy build. not many parts. Do not mix up the BCM847 and BCM857 dual transistors, see the build notes for where to install a 1k tempco."
See dealers on the right for pricing and availability on gear.
LABELS/MORE: DIY, eurorack, New DIY, New Modules, News, nonlinearcircuits, Synth Dogs
LABELS/MORE: DIY, eurorack, New DIY, New Modules, News, nonlinearcircuits, Synth Dogs
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© Matrixsynth - All posts are presented here for informative, historical and educative purposes as applicable within fair use.
MATRIXSYNTH is supported by affiliate links that use cookies to track clickthroughs and sales. See the privacy policy for details.
MATRIXSYNTH - EVERYTHING SYNTH

































