Want a Minimoog but is too expensive?

[Luca_Capozzi]

Do It Yourself :D

http://www.meadowfield.freeuk.com/synth/mini.html

this guy rox ^^ Maybe I can try to do the same...

[Cary]

I think that in the not-too-distant future, there could be a market demand for such things.

[Luca_Capozzi]

eheh not so distant ;) i've just seen a good market made by those DIY geeks.. a whole modular system, analog arpeggiators and so on.. well, I hope those guys will continue with their work :)

see ya

[eivind]

If you never typed the words synth and DIY into Google before ... now's the time!

You will find stuff that tops many manufactureres...

you can also start at my linkspage:
http://home.no.net/eifi/Gear/DIYLinks/SynthDIYLinks.html

[Luca_Capozzi]

*bookmarked* :wink:

ps.: eivind, add http://www.ucapps.de to your bookmarks. this site is great :) a lot of diy midiboxes and a SID (C-64) based synth

see ya

[rutgerv]

Add OakleySound.com to your bookmarks.

I'm currently designing a semi-modular synth from seperate Oakley modules and some other scematics. The plan is to build a very powerfull 3 VCO mono synth for live and studio purposes. It will contain a normalised patchpanel like Korg MS10/MS20 to override the standard routing with patch cables. This way it will be a usefriendly and easy synth for live, but it will also have all the complex routings for studio use.

The setup will be:
3 VCO with FM and Sync, also white/pink noise as selectable waveform.
1 VCF (Moog Ladder-style)
1 VCA
2 EG
1 LFO
1 LAG processor

It will also have MIDI in and out and hopefully i can build in an Oakley Equinoxe phaser. I think that would be really cool for a fat lead sound.

When i get really started i will post pictures and text on a subpage of my bands website (http://www.orpheo.nl). Hopefully i'll have enough time to finish the synth before the summer :).

Greetings,

Rutger

[Tusker]

Hmmh, I couldn't get either link to work. :(

Rutger, what do the Oakley modules sound like? What would a reasonably fully featured synth like the one you a spec-ing cost? I've been eying the Synthesizer.com modulars as a cheap-er fully constructed source. A synth with about the specs you mentioned runs one and a half grand. Cheaper than a mini and flexible signal path. It's moogy sounding, and (apparently) not as pristine sounding as MOTM. But it will be a couple of years.

Have you decided how you are going to control your synth?

Jerry

[rutgerv]

Here's the full URL: http://www.oakleysound.com. That should work.

There are some simple waveform demo's on the Oakley website (on the VCO page). They VCO and VCF sound alot like a Moog, but a little more modern i think. The VCF is a Moog Ladder filter with some enhancements. The VCO is also Moog-based i believe. So i think the sound should be pretty close to a Moog, but you can tweak alot in the design if you like.

I found those Synthesizer.com modules quite expensive, but that may be because Oakley only provides PCB"s and special parts. The average cost of an Oakley module is about 15 UK pounds i think. I estimated that the modules alone in my synth will cost about 500 euro's together. But you can spare or spend alot on different quality pot's, knob's, etc. I also want to design a Schaeffer frontpanel and mount it in a wooden case with a keyboard.

On the control part i will be cheating a little, because i will build in a regular midi keyboard (4 octaves, pitchwheel, modwheel, assignable slider). I will remove the original keyboard casing and mount the keyboard in the wooden case. I will connect the keyboards midi-out to a homemade midi-merger/thru. This will be connected internally to the MidiDac, and externally to the midi out :). The external midi in will also be connected to the MidiDac. That way i can control the analog synth from any other synth, and also layer any other synths's sound with the sound from the analog mono synth. Not really an "analog" solution, but very usefull for me on stage.

Regards,

Rutger

[Lurion]

The ultimate geek!!!! Can I swear??? OMFG!! I did not know that one single person could have such determination, willpower and spare time!! I profundly admire this and I am now determined to build my own custom theremin.

[Tusker]

You might want to keep that lag generator connected to your patch panel if you are using MIDI control. That way you can use it for portamento or filter sweeps, etc.

Very cool project you are undertaking. 8)

I hope you take some pictures and keep us in the loop. That way the soldering iron impaired people (like me) can enjoy it vicariously. :D

Jerry

[jeebustrain]

www.paia.com is another great place for DIY projects. Besides synths (they've got both a modular and a couple other mono analalog, they've got lots of other gear, microphones, compressors, amp sims, etc...