Erica Synths and Moritz Klein Introduce EDU DIY FM Drum Eurorack Module

via Erica Synths

"Introducing an FM Drum circuit that fuses analog punch with metallic tones of FM synthesis. This DIY kit offers a wide range of sounds for your patches, from kicks to toms, metallic clangs and more – a great addition of versatile, rhythmic elements to your system!

We – Erica Synths and Moritz Klein – have developed a series of educational DIY kits under the brand name mki x es.EDU with one specific goal in mind: to teach people with little-to-no prior experience how to design analog synthesizer circuits from scratch. What you’ll find in the box is not simply meant to be soldered together and then disappear in your rack. Instead, we want to take you through the circuit design process step by step, explaining every choice we’ve made and how it impacts the finished module.

NB! All kits in these series are simple and come with extensive user manuals which can be downloaded separately, therefore we will not provide customer support in case your DIY build fails to function or similar."

Designing an FM Drum circuit from scratch (kick, tom, bell & cymbal)

video upload by Moritz Klein

Chapters
00:00 Intro & Sound Demo
01:46 Triangle VCO
05:56 Tri To Sine Waveshaper
07:17 VCA
11:20 Decay Envelope
12:28 Gate To Trigger Converter
14:00 VCO Reset
15:26 Pitch Envelope
18:44 Attack (Distortion & Click)
21:38 FM
25:00 XOR Pulse
27:36 High Pass
30:05 Decay CV
31:20 Tune CV
34:08 Final Demo & Outro



Build your own FM Drum as a DIY eurorack kit: https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/diy-k...

"While trying to fix a broken TR-909, I came up with a DIY analog FM Drum circuit that combines the punchy character of the 909 with the metallic textures of FM synthesis. It comes with four different modes:

• 909-style kick/tom
• Metallic bell/gong
• Ring mod cymbal
• FM cymbal

The FM Drum is the final drum voice in my DIY drum machine series (for now). If you want to build along, here's the bill of materials:"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Machina Bristronica 2024

video uploads by sonicstate

Playlist:

1. Bristronica 24: MyVolts The Silent Alchemist Nears Shipping

We caught up with Caroline who gave us the latest update to the *Silent Alchemist*, a versatile power hub designed for musicians. Featuring five isolated USB-C outputs and a high-wattage sixth output capable of delivering 100 watts, the device can power a Mac with the remaining outputs providing 20 watts each. Its independent circuits ensure noise-free operation, catering to a variety of devices including the Dreadbox module and Sysmo slope generator.

The Silent Alchemist uses innovative step-up power tips to convert USB-C input to the correct voltage for various devices. There's also new feature: an uninterruptible power supply allowing seamless transition between wall and power bank sources. Also introduced were updated cables, such as silver candy cords and floating ring TRS to TS cables, expanding connection flexibility. The Silent Alchemist is expected to be available in December with a competitive pricing strategy.

More Info:
https://myvolts.com/

2. Bristronica 24: Circuit Happy ML2M Clock Sync module updates

At Bristronica 2024, we caught up with the creator of the *ML2M*, who introduced us to the latest version. The ML2M is a compact Eurorack module with Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing seamless synchronization with Ableton Live, Bitwig Studio, and iOS music apps using Ableton Link without the need for cables. It either connects to an existing network or creates its own, ensuring robust sync even in environments with unreliable Wi-Fi. The module, which retains its 2HP size, now features MIDI integration through TRS jacks. Users can access a web interface to configure each output for different clock divisions and reset triggers, making setup straightforward and flexible.

Alongside the ML2M, there's also the Missing Link Junior. This desktop version offers the same functionality but in a box format, complete with MIDI and CV clock outputs. Both products are now accessible, with a starting price of $250.

3. Bristronica 24: Archaea Exchange Patching Module

At Machina Bristronica 2024, we caught up with Arran from ‪@archaea_modular_synthesis‬ who presented the *Exchange Module*. This programmable patcher, a year in the making, evolved from its early prototype stage to a fully functional module. Arran explained how the Exchange can route synth voices via a beam controller and three exchange modules installed within the skiff, allowing for versatile patching. Operating like a matrix patchbay, it enables users to select inputs and outputs with the push of a button, create presets, and chain multiple modules for synchronized patching.

Communication between the modules occurs over the Eurorack power bus as well as over MIDI via the USB-C connection. The Exchange maintains analog integrity, ensuring there’s no conversion latency. The forthcoming release expected in late November 2024, includes a USB-driven editor for enhanced control capabilities.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Erica Synths & Moritz Klein Introduce EDU DIY LABOR prototyping station

video upload by Moritz Klein

"Disclaimer: I actually created Labor together with my friends at Erica Synths and Dr. Shalom D. Ruben, who's a teaching professor for engineering at the University of Colorado. Either way, it's an awesome entry point for anyone looking to get started in circuit design. (Or a great help if you've already disappeared down the rabbit hole.)"

Chapters
00:00 Feature Overview & Bundle Versions
01:32 Prototyping with Labor
03:23 Expansion Modules & Outro"

"Get started in circuit design with MKI x ES Labor! Developed in collaboration with Dr. Shalom D. Ruben teaching professor for engineering at the University of Colorado Labor is a fully-featured circuit design playground and a powerful electronics learning tool all in one. Created with the aim of serving as a universal learning tool for electronics engineering Labor enables users to delve into various aspects of electronics design from fundamental concepts to advanced techniques. Whether you're a beginner exploring the basics or an experienced engineer honing your skills Labor provides a versatile platform for experimentation and learning. Create your own filters oscillators envelopes sequencers – and whatever else you can come up with. Or use it to learn the basics by following along with our series of educational DIY kits.

Features
a built in dual power supply producing eurorack-compatible voltages, with built-in over current protection for safe experimenting
a modular interfacing section with 16 slots for potentiometers, jacks & switches
a pulse/triangle/sine oscillator (audio & LFO range)
a multi mode envelope generator controlled by a premium push button
a buffered variable control voltage source
an output amplifier with variable gain
a dedicated headphone output and a line-level output for recording, processing and analyzing the signal
an expansion slot for installing specialized prototyping tools
a protective lid to cover a breadboard.
EDU DIY Labor Basic Kit includes:

LABOR
Power Supply Unit
jumper cables
array of interfacing elements like potentiometers, jack sockets, switches
EDU DIY Labor Full Kit includes:

LABOR
Power Supply Unit
jumper cables
array of interfacing elements like potentiometers, jack sockets, switches
commonly used components (resistors, capacitors, chips, transistors) to start building circuits straight away


We – Erica Synths and Moritz Klein – have developed a series of educational DIY kits under the brand name mki x es.EDU with one specific goal in mind: to teach people with little-to-no prior experience how to design analog synthesizer circuits from scratch. What you’ll find in the box is not simply meant to be soldered together and then disappear in your rack. Instead, we want to take you through the circuit design process step by step, explaining every choice we’ve made and how it impacts the finished module.

NB! All kits in these series are simple and come with extensive user manuals which can be downloaded separately, therefore we will not provide customer support in case your DIY build fails to function or similar."

Erica Synths Introduces EDU DIY SNARE DRUM

Designing a simple analog snare drum from scratch

video upload by Moritz Klein

"No drum machine is really complete without a punchy, snappy snare. Together with the kick, it creates the rhythmic backbone for most grooves.

So in my ongoing quest for creating a Roland-inspired modular drum machine, I knew I had to come up with a snare circuit that would complement the kick and hi-hat I‘ve already designed. After a lot of fine tuning, I landed on a circuit that can emulate a TR-606, TR-808 or TR-909 snare."

No drum machine is really complete without a punchy, snappy Snare Drum. Together with the Kick, it creates the rhythmic backbone for most grooves. So for our percussion-focused second season of educational DIY kits, we knew we had to come up with a Snare circuit that would complement the Kick and Hi-Hat we’ve already released. After a lot of fine tuning, here’s what we came up with: introducing mki x es.edu DIY Snare Drum.

Features
Manual and CV controlled Tune
Tune CV depth attenuator
Manual Attack and Decay control
Manual and CV Snappy (noise and tone crossfade) control
Accent input

We – Erica Synths and Moritz Klein – have developed a series of educational DIY kits under the brand name mki x es.EDU with one specific goal in mind: to teach people with little-to-no prior experience how to design analog synthesizer circuits from scratch. What you’ll find in the box is not simply meant to be soldered together and then disappear in your rack. Instead, we want to take you through the circuit design process step by step, explaining every choice we’ve made and how it impacts the finished module.

NB! All kits in these series are simple and come with extensive user manuals which can be downloaded separately, therefore we will not provide customer support in case your DIY build fails to function or similar.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Erica EDU Kick and Hats! - Build and Demo

video upload by Quincas Moreira Music

"Hey! Finally back with some Synth DIY Action! These new Erica Synths and Moritz Klein .EDU modules expand the original system with amazing and powerful percussion sounds! In this video we build both kits and then take them for a groovy spin, come on in!

Stay Noisy!

Index:
INTRO 00:00
Hi Hat Build 01:00
Kick Build 04:31
Demo 06:38
Outro 16:49"

Designing a simple analog hi-hat from scratch

video upload by Moritz Klein

"Build your own as a DIY eurorack kit:
https://www.ericasynths.lv/shop/diy-k...

Synthesized, analog hi-hats are pretty fascinating. That’s because emulating any kind of cymbal using an analog circuit is tough, since the sound a real cymbal produces is not quite pure noise – but also not really harmonic.

Still, a couple classic drum machines like the Roland TR-606 and TR-808 took their best shot at it, with quite strange sounding results that I personally really like. So I decided to follow suit and came up with this simple, but very versatile and crunchy sounding DIY hi-hat circuit."

Chapters
00:00 Intro & Sound Demo
01:30 Hi-Hat Basics
03:21 Metallic Noise Gen
06:25 Bandpass Filter
13:55 Distortion/VCA
19:12 Envelope/Gate-To-Trigger
22:10 Highpass Filter
26:50 Open Hi-Hat
28:32 Tune Control
35:34 Outro

Albers - Stepped tones.

video upload by DecadeBridge

"Using audio rate oscillators patched into Albers' pitch inputs and then using the LFOs to create stepped tones. In the first part I use all four of Albers' oscillators as stepped tone generators and then have a little jam with the patch. In the second part I use a VCO to create two stepped tone generators with oscillators A and B and then use the other two as sustained notes. This is followed by another small jam with the patch.

00:00 - Patching Pam's pro workout (outputs 5 - 8) to Albers' pitch inputs.
02:58 - Adding more elements to the patch whilst having a jam. Delay has been added in Ableton.
07:38 - Using the square and saw wave outputs from the Moritz Klein VCO patched to Albers' oscillators A and B whilst using C and D to add static notes. Stepped tones and drones.
09:11 - Adding more elements to the patch whilst having a jam. Delay has been added in Ableton."

Erica Synths EDU DIY Compressor Build and Demo

video upload by Molten Music Technology

"Erica Synths has a new range of EDU DIY modules designed in association with Moritz Klein. The first module is a Compressor with side chaining. This video is a build of the kit and a demo of the module."

Also see: Erica Synths Stereo Compressor Eurorack Module

Press release follows:

"Need some professional polish in your modular system? With this simple diode-based compressor, you can shape the dynamics of your sound, adding punch and consistency to your patches. Whether you’re looking to beef up your basslines, add sustain to your leads, or tame the peaks of your percussion, this circuit’s got you covered.

We – Erica Synths and Moritz Klein – have developed a series of educational DIY kits under the brand name mki x es.EDU with one specific goal in mind: to teach people with little-to-no prior experience how to design analog synthesizer circuits from scratch. What you’ll find in the box is not simply meant to be soldered together and then disappear in your rack. Instead, we want to take you through the circuit design process step by step, explaining every choice we’ve made and how it impacts the finished module.

NB! All kits in these series are simple and come with extensive user manuals which can be downloaded separately, therefore we will not provide customer support in case your DIY build fails to function or similar."

Lil' Nicky (Erica Synths mki x es.edu DIY synthesizer full system)

video upload by Greg Dixon

"This is a demonstration video for the Erica Synths mki x es.edu full system. The recorded audio is completely raw mono direct from the synthesizer with no added effects etc. I built the synthesizer (which I named "Lil' Nicky") including the case with kits designed by Moritz Klein and released by Erica Synths. Lil' Nicky is patched mostly with purple 18" cables by Luigi's Modular. The purple and black look of the synthesizer/ cables as well as it's name is an homage to the pop icon, Prince."

Simple ADSR Envelope (Not the Fastest Envelope On the West)

video upload by KellerDev

"I started this project with the intend to modify a schematic from Moritz Klein to have Release CV. Than I discovered I can extend what I was doing to make it have distinct Decay also, and not control the Decay with the Release Control like the Original. I also made a couple more changes to the schematic, including an option for Release accent trigger."

Erica Synths .EDU S&H/Noise - Building and Demo

video upload by Synth Diy Guy

"Building and playing this wonderful sample and hold/noise from Erica Synths and Moritz Klein's .EDU project!

My Website: https://www.quincasmoreira.com/
My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quincas

Stay Noisy!"

Erica.EDU Diode Ladder Filter Kit!

video upload by Synth Diy Guy

"Building and playing this wonderful filter from Erica Synths and Moritz Klein's .EDU project!

My Website: https://www.quincasmoreira.com/
My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quincas

Stay Noisy!"

Top 10 eurorack modules Superbooth 22 – (A personal selection by Monotrail)

video upload by Monotrail Tech Talk

"Superbooth 22 is over, and this time I was finally able to hang around, meet some people, and see some new modules! I thought I’d make a little compilation with 10 modules that stood out to me. Among others a collaboration between Endorphin.es and Andrew Huang, the Xaoc devices Sophia, Verbos Electronics polyphonic envelope, and a project that involves Yann Tiersen. In this video I just explain why the modules stood out to me.

Timetable:
00:00 – Intro
00:28 – Endorphine.es / Andrew Huang - Ghost,
01:41 – Neuzeit Instruments - Quasar
03:12 – Knobula - Kickhain
04:44 – AtoV project - Dual Harmonic Oscillator
06:05 – Xaoc Devices – Sophia
06:59 – Bastl Instruments - Pizza
08:20 – Verbos Electronics – Polyphonic Envelope
09:35 – Instruo - Larachd
10:49 – Erica Synths / Moritz Klein – Edu series
11:40 – Eowave / Touellskouarn / Yann Tiersen - Ostilh "

Erica Synths .EDU Sequencer - Building and Demo

video upload by Synth Diy Guy

Synth Diy Guy Erica Synths .EDU posts

"Part 4 of the series on Moritz Klein and Erica Synth's educational system! This time we build and play the Sequencer!

My Website: https://www.quincasmoreira.com/
My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/quincas

Stay Noisy!"

Live playing on a DIY Modular Synth

video upload by KellerDev

"Live Jam to test the spring Reverb module
The module has Low and High Pass Filter, feedback and distortortion(soft clipping).
Schematics, PCB, Code and KiCad Files: https://www.patreon.com/kellerdev
Sound Samples: https://soundcloud.com/kaloian-kraste...
The Sequencer, spring reverb and mixer are my design.
The VCF, VCA and ASR are from Moritz Klein: https://www.youtube.com/c/MoritzKlein0
The VCOs are from here: https://www.davidhaillant.com/simple-...
but I changed the temperature compensation to use NTC resistors"

New Erica Synths mki x es .EDU DIY Eurorack Enclosure & PSU

via Erica Synths

The mki x es. edu project takes you on a journey of building a complete, self-contained eurorack system. Those who are already into eurorack will find the mki x es. edu modules to be a nice addition to their existing systems, but those who are about to take their first steps into modular synthesizers will need a reliable and safe power supply unit (PSU) and eurorack-compatible enclosure.

We designed a DIY eurorack PSU based on a DC/DC converter that turns +12VDC from a wall wart AC/DC adapter into eurorack standard bipolar +-12V. This ensures the voltage in your eurorack system never exceeds 12V and any area in your eurorack case is safe to touch. In order to reduce the overall cost of the case we do not use eurorack rails with threaded inserts or sliding nuts, instead, there are pre-drilled, threaded holes to accommodate the modules of the mki x es. edu system in a specific order.

NB! The enclosure & PSU are designed specifically to accommodate DIY modules from mki x es. edu series and are not compatible with other eurorack modules.

RRP: 110 EUR (VAT excl.)
MAP: 139 USD

mki x es. EDU enclosure & PSU
high-res photos of DIY EDU series
We – Erica Synths and Moritz Klein – have developed series of educational DIY kits under the brand name mki x es. EDU with one specific goal in mind: to teach people with little-to-no prior experience how to design analog synthesizer circuits from scratch. What you’ll find in the box is not simply meant to be soldered together and then disappear in your rack. Instead, we want to take you through the circuit design process step by step, explaining every choice we’ve made and how it impacts the finished module.

In total, we have developed 9 kits to build a fully featured modular mono-synth: a sequencer, a VCO, a wavefolder, a noise/S&H module, a mixer, a VCF, an Envelope generator, a dual VCA and an output stereo mixer with a headphone amplifier. Additionally, an affordable eurorack case with a DIY PSU will also be available. While these kits are easy to build, we did not compromise on design and functionality. We will launch one kit every 4-6 weeks. Each kit comes with an extensive user manual (40+ pages) that will dive deep into not only the electronics behind each circuit, but also the fundamental principles of sound synthesis.

We hope that the mki x es. EDU project will inspire future engineers and will contribute to the ever growing diversity of electronic music technology.

More information coming soon

KellerDev Arduino DIY Modular Synthesizer

videos uploaded by KellerDev

Playlist:
1. DIY Modular Synthesizer Test

Playing arround with a melody on this diy modular synth

2. DIY 16 Step Sequencer

DIY 16 Step Sequencer for a modular Synthesizer. It uses a couple of shift registers and an Arduino Nano. The frequency for each step is read by the ADC of the arduino, then quantized and played back through the PWM as CV. The v/oct scale is set by an opamp

3. Arduino DIY synth, sequencer and drum machine

This is a DIY synthesizer made with the mozzi library and Arduino Nano. It uses 4 multiplexers CD4051 and three decade counters 4017. Sound samples : https://soundcloud.com/kaloian-kraste...

4. DIY analog Synth - Arduino Nano PWM CV output

Setup for Control Voltage output for a DIY analog synthesizer, using the PWM from arduino. Adjusting it to align with the 1v/octave standard.Most modules so far are from Moritz Klein, including the Diode Ladder Filter. Here's a sound example : https://soundcloud.com/kaloian-kraste...

New Erica Synths MK1 vs es.EDU Dual VCA - Build and Demo

video upload by Synth Diy Guy

"Part 2 of the series on Moritz Klein and Erica Synth's educational system! This time we build, calibrate and play the cool dual VCA!"

Part one here.

https://www.quincasmoreira.com/
https://www.patreon.com/quincas

Introducing the mki x es.edu DIY VCA kit

video upload by Moritz Klein

"The mki x es. EDU VCA is simple, yet efficient dual VCA for your eurorack system. It has DC coupled inputs, so you can use the VCA both for audio and CV signals. Inputs of the second VCA are normalled to the first one, which allows to split audio signal to both VCA or control both VCAs with a single CV. A 60 page build manual explains electronics behind the module and provides step-by step build instructions.

RRP: 55 EUR (VAT excl.)
MAP: 69 USD"

Erica' Synths .EDU VCO - Building, tuning, playing

video upload by Synth Diy Guy

"Erica Synths and Moritz Klein have teamed up to offer an incredible full system, designed to teach you about electronics and circuit design for real!"

https://www.quincasmoreira.com/
https://www.patreon.com/quincas

Erica Synths mki x es.EDU Educational DIY Kit Line Created with Mortiz Klein

video upload by Moritz Klein

Full playlist further below.

"As some of you already know, I'll be releasing a series of DIY kits with the good people at Erica Synths. In this stream, we'll check out some of the prototypes, talk about the design process & the circuits themselves and – of course – hear what they sound like."

"Erica Synths and Moritz Klein – have developed a series of educational DIY kits under the brand name mki x es.EDU with one specific goal in mind: to teach people with little-to-no prior experience how to design analog synthesizer circuits from scratch. What you’ll find in the box is not simply meant to be soldered together and then disappear in your rack. Instead, we want to take you through the circuit design process step by step, explaining every choice we’ve made and how it impacts the finished module.

In total, we have developed 9 kits to build a fully-featured modular monosynth: a sequencer, a VCO, a wavefolder, a noise/S&H module, a mixer, a VCF, an Envelope generator, a dual VCA, and an output stereo mixer with a headphone amplifier. Additionally, an affordable eurorack case with a DIY PSU will also be available. While these kits are easy to build, we did not compromise on design and functionality. We will launch one kit every 4-6 weeks. Each kit comes with an extensive user manual (40+ pages) that will dive deep into not only the electronics behind each circuit but also the fundamental principles of sound synthesis.

We hope that the mki x es.EDU project will inspire future engineers and will contribute to the ever-growing diversity of electronic music technology."

Mortiz Klein Playlist
video uploads by Mortiz Klein