MATRIXSYNTH

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..."

MPC 1000 Box

More boxes. BTW, before I get inundated with pictures of boxes... I actually don't have a synth box fetish. Sure I get a kick out how manufacturers market their synths, but... Just be sure they are really, really good, or rare box shots before you send any in. : )

BTW, this ended up selling for $40.

syntezatory.prv.pl - novation a-station

YouTube via jexus.

syntezatory.prv.pl
Previous syntezatory.prv.pl posts
Previous WC Olo Garb posts

Synare 3 Service Manual

Title link takes you to the Synare 3 Service Manual sent to AH via greg. I backed it up here just in case the link disapears over time.

Update: Here's the Manual in PDF format. I added it to the back up share as well.

Boxes

Title link takes you to a couple more sent my way via brian comnes. You gotta like boxes to appreciate this post. : )

Modified x0xb0x

Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.

Modifications via the auction:
"- installed custom faceplate
- use of extremely rare, original Roland BA662A VCA to further increase this unit's claim as one of the most authentic TB-303 clones available
- bass boost mod
- filter modulation (VCO acts as modulation source, waveshape controlled by a three-pole switch to choose from square, saw, or off; modulation amount controlled by a designated potentiometer)
- envelope amount modifications (increased range controlled by a 2-pole switch)
- filter cutoff range modification (allows the filter cutoff to reach lower frequencies than would be otherwise possible)
- installation of custom EvilX0X 0.5 firmware, which, among other things, implements swing, "pattern nudge," use of real-time pattern end-points, etc. See this page for more details.
- a supposed mod to increase the grit in the sound by overtaxing the power supply, although this mod, when engaged, does not appear to affect the sound at all"

There's an audio sample of the unit on the auction page. I mirrored it here for when it goes away.

miniTamTam demo

"This is a demonstration of miniTamTam, a music application for the OLPC XO computer." You might remember the OLPC XO computer being toted as the "$100 laptop" for children around the world that cannot afford a full laptop or PC. Click here for more info.

Update: I finally got around to watching this in entirety. At the end he talks about the "synth lab" where you can create your own sounds. It looks interesting. He said there will be another video of it coming. I'll keep an eye out for it.

YouTube via natcl. Via Thumbuki.

AralkdFX DKS Pro Drum Synth

"DKS is born after three years of studying the classic analogue drum machines, which were able to produce convincing drums sounds with simple electronic means.

By joining the "classical" oscillator-based electronics drum synthesis approach with simple FM synthesis, physical modeling of the drum shell, a powerful set of effects, and a beautiful user interface DKS is an unique, easy to use, and incredibly versatile drums synthesizer.

This synthesizer can accurately emulate many of the classic electronic drums machine sounds, but through its extra FM and physical drum shell modeling features can go much further, even giving an interesting acoustic touch to synthesized sounds."

Title link takes you to more info and samples.

Guess The Electronics

PeoplesTank of CatSynth.com just joined Synthwire. He has a post up on a number of samples you can guess what was used to create each. What's different about this one is rather than it being a "guess the synth" exercise, it's actually a "guess the instrument type" exercise. Title link takes you to more info.